THE SAN TAL 1\1 ISS ION

Transcription

1 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAN TAL 1\1 ISS ION OF THE.. NORTHERN CHURCHES (THE INDIAN HOME MISSION TO THE SANTALS) FOR THE YEAR 1943 CI _ 1.. _ I:Ii DUMKA PUBLISHED BY THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES PRINTED AT THE MISSION PRESS, BENAGARJA.

2 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES -~- ~tttehttj1 : REV. J. GAU8DAL, DUMKA, SANTAL PARGANAS, INDIA. REV. J. G.:\ USDAL, H. HOEG, ESQR. Dumka, Santal Parganas, INDIA. Oslo, NORWAY. REV. COUNT VIGGO MOLTKE, Asminderod., Fl'edensborg, DENMARK. R,EV. PROFESSOR A.. HELLAND, Minneapolis, MINN, U. S. A. REV. R. ROSENLUND Kaerabani, Santal Parganas, INDIA. REV. BERNHARD A. HELLAND, do. do. do. do. From America BJERKE STRAND, MR. & MRS. O. S. HELLAND, REV. & MRS. B. A. MILLER, MISS. DAGMAR, OSTERGAARD, DR. E. & MRS. A. PEDERSEN, DR. Miss D. ~i i iionarie.s (April 1925), Grahampur. (Oct. 19~6), on furl. (Nov. 1920), on furl. (Nov, 1928 & Nov. 936) Benagaria. (Oct. 1931), Haraputa. From Denmark : BAGGER, REV. & MRS. V; EIE, REV. & M~s. O. FISCHER, MISS BESSIE, HOLTEN, MISS GUDRUN, KAMPP, REV. & MRS. H. P. H. KROHN, Miss ELISABBTH, KROHN, REV. & MRS. J. LOWE, MISS ERIKA, (Dec & June 1926), on furl. (Oct. 1920), 1\fornai. (Nov. 1934), on furl. (Dec. 1927), Saldoha. (Nov. 1915& March 1918), Nimasarai. ~Mrs. Kampp in Denmark). (Oct. 1933), Benagaria. (Dec 1938), Kaerabani. (Nov. 1924), Eklakhi.

3 ill MALMSTROM, MISS I. NIELSEN, MRS. DINA; ROSENLUND, REV. & MRS. R. PEDERSEN, MISS J. O. (Dec. 1937), Eklakhi. (Nov. 1912), Maharo. (Febr. 1910), Kaerabani. (N ov. 1935), Saldoha. From Norwa'!j: AASLAND, Miss MARIE, BUTTEDAHL,. MISS MAGNHJLD, DIESEN, MISS NANCY, FOSSLAND, MR. & MRS. G. GAUSDAL, REV. & MRS. J. GLAD, REV. & MRS. W. HALVORSRUD, REV. & MRS. H. JOHANSEN, J. ESQR. JOHANSEN, REV. & MRS. 8. KIPPENESS, REV. & MRS. H. LANDOY, REv. & MRS. M. LOHNE, MISS LAURA, l\ulme, REV. & MRS. A. NESSET, MISS SOFIE, OFSTAD, REV. & MRS. K. PEDERSEN, REV. & MRS. P. SIGUID>SEN, MISS EDLE. SOMMING, Miss SOLVEIG, STRONSTAD, REV. & MRS. A. E. TROMBORG. REV. & MRS. K. WESTBORG, MR. & MRS. D. (Oct. 1933), 'on furl. (Dec. 1927), on furl. (Dec. 1911, Maharo. (Nov. 1937, Santipara. (Nov & Jan. 1919), Dumka. (Nov. 1931), on furl. (Oct & Nov. 1937), Gaorang. (Nov. 1980), Saldoha. (Nov. 1935), Narainpur. (Nov. 1937), Basetkundi. (Oct. 1936), Febr. 1940), Joema. (Oct. 1923), Koroya. (Nov. 1935), on furl.. (March 1932), Gaorang. (Nov & March 1918), (Ynfurl. (Jan & Nov. 1935), Tilabani. (Nov. 1934), Mohulpahari. (Feb. 1933), Haraputa. (Nov. 1934), Chondorpura. (Sap & Oct. 1923), Benagaria, (Jar ), Bongaigaon. The Swedish, Gooch Behar Mission: BRANDT, REV. & MHos. A. W. MORTENSON, lliss STINA. PIHLQUIST, MISS ELSE. (1925), on furl. (Nov. 1939), Cooch Behar. (Dec. 1938), Cooch Behar.

4 THE AMERICAN BoARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Augsburg Seminary, Minneapolis, Minn. U. B. A. President: Vice President: REV. ODD GC)RNITZKA REV. J. C. AABERG. Secretary and Treasurer: REV. B. A. HELLAND. Members - DR. SILAS C. AND1<1RSEN REV. J. O. BLANES REV. M. C. DrxEN MR. C. P. HEIDE PROF. A. HELLAND' REV. NILS KLUNGTVEDT REV. H. IRVING PETERSEN MISS RUTH SKOUHOLT REV. HAAKON JORGENSEN REV. P. L. MORK REV. CHR. G. OLSEN MR. VIGGO SOREXSEN PROF. C. M. WESWIG Publication "THE SA.NTAL MISSIONARY" DANISH BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Valbygaarilsve} 76, Copenhagen, Denmark. President: Secretary: REV. MARIUS HANSEN, D. D, Copenhagen. REV. VALD -CHRISTIANSEN, Aarhus. Treasurer: MR. RICH. HENRIKSEN, St. Strandstrade 9, K. Copenhagen. Members-,REV RORDAM CLAUSSEN. REV. A. THELLE. REV. G. SCHroLER. CARLSEN SKIODT, ESQ. V. FIBIGER, ESQ. REV. H. WINDING. Publication: "SANTAL-POSTEN "

5 v THE NORWEGIN E;iOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Holbergs Gate 23, Oslo, Norwa!J. President REV. H. E. WISLOFF. Vice President: Secretary: REV. E. HALLEN, HOLBERGS GATE ~3, OSLO Treasurer":. MISS ASTA OPSAHL, HOLBERGS GATE 23, OSLO. Members - MISS S. LOKEN. A. GrMNEs, ESQ. REV. M. JOHNE. MIss M. KrNNERoD. OLBERG, ESQ. Publication ~, SA}lTALEN " The Committee of the American Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church REV. J. C. AA.BERG, President REV. H. PLA..lIIBECK, Secretary. MISS S. OSTERGAARD, Minneapolis, Treasurer. Kvinniiag Missions Arbetre. Biger Jarlsgatan 67, Stockholm. Secretary: MISS M. JOSEPHSON.

6 vi INDIAN PASTORS. Andreas Murmu 1924, Dumka (Dumka P. 0.) B~ij~l RiisdaR: 1924, Gamharp~h~ri (Benagaria P. 0.) Bajun Murmll, 1939, Amgachi, Dhgrgrnpur (Kumrabad P.O.) Bhikulal HasdaR 1937, Majdiha (Katikund P.O.) Bhobendro Narjary 1942, (Bongaegaon P.O.) Bhgggn Murmu 1938, Rangeli (via Jogbani Purnea) Bosonto Kumar Dutta 1940, (Suri) Budhr~i HasdaR: 1937, Badhar, Rajsbahi (Talanda P.O.) Ch~ku TIlQ.u 1937, Ranga, Chgndgrpura (Amrapara P. O. Cunn Murmu 1943, Tarni (Katikund P.O.) Dhononjoy Jha 1923, Dangalpara (Dumka P.O.) Emanuel TuQ.u 1929, Simoldohi (Moheshpur P.O.) G~Iu Sgr~n 1928, Chondorpura (Katikund P.O.) Gulu Murmu 1940, Potra (Bansihari P.O.) Jalpa Sgr~n 1901, (Retired) James Hopna Soren 19 ~2, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) J~tu Murmu 1942, Mornai (ljingdinga P.O.) John Roy 1941, Cooch Behar. Jghgn HasdaR: 1933, Dhgrgmpur (Kumrabad P.O.) Johon Murmn, 1939, Dumbria, Maharo (Jarmundi P.O.)... John Jotadhari Das 1940, (Mohulpahari P.O.) Joseph HasdaY: 1940, Tilabani (Asanbani P.O.) Jujhar Soren 1941, Santal Labour 00. Kl}.lu Kisku 1931, Chgndgrpura (Katikund P.O.) Kanhu TuQ.u 1939, Grahampur (Dingdinga P.O.) Karan Sgr~n 1934, Dumka. Khudil}. Ml}.rJ].Q.i 1931, (Mohulpahari P.O.) Lgdg SQr~n 1923, Sapadoha (Benagaria P: 0.) Lgkhgn H~mbrgm 1930, Manjad~bri (Dingdinga P. 0.) Lopsa SQr~n 1932, (Retired)

7 Mahara.j Bhandari 1937, (NimaBarai p~ 0., Malda) Mansitl 'fuc;lu 1937, Koroya (Dumlca P.O.) Modhu Sudon Kisku 1940, Phoridpur (Habr~ P.O.) ~QDgQl HemhrQm 1933, Jithia (Benagaria P.O.) MQilgQl Kisku 1930, Rautnagar (Ranisanlchail P.O.) Munshi Hembrom 19411, Santed Labour 00. Naran SQren 1934, Kaerabani (Kaerabani P.O.) Nimb~i Murmu 1941, Santipara (Bongaegaon P.O.) Olichoron. Boro 1932, Gaorang (Haltugaon P.O.) P~ul Murmu 1935, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) Peter Murmu 1943, Beldaoga (Sagardighi P.' 0.) Pitor H~tobrQm R~ti~ 1928, Ransupur (Dingdinga P.O.) BQrQ 1911, Haraputa (Gossaingaon P.O.) Ruben Murmu 1933, MaLaro (Dumka P.O.) Ruben Murmu 194~, Jolesori (Kochugaon P.O.) Ruben Soren 1941, Saldoba (Mohulpahari P.O.) Sibram M~rl1Q.i 1939, Basetkundi (Maheshpur P.O.) Simon Murmu 1929, Kboribari (Anailkamat P. ' 0.) Simon Baske 1938, Dum (Dumka P.O.) Sodanondo Baske 1939, Benag~ri~ (Benagaria P.O.) Srina.tb Biswas Rampurbat. Suphol Hembrom 1941, ~arayanpur (Teor P.O.) Ta'rani Iswary 1942, Gaorang (P.O.) rik~ Murmu 1942, Cirapathor (Katikund P.O.)

8 THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR This annual report a bout the work of the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches has also to be written while the terrible war rages with unabated fury round the world, and a word from the sacred pages comes to mind: "Glorious things are spokim of thee, 0 City of God. " Psalm 87, 3. Only as far as a Christian mission activity is part of the Holy City of God does it deserve survival through the great agony of our time. The most precious jewel may become covered by dust and dirt and lose all its beauty. A chosen and valuable tree may become entirely covered by useless and worthless creepers. The Sacred City of God may fall from its unique splendour to become,. a den of thieves,,. as the Lord found the temple of His time. It has become usual to count the modern misslonary age from the year 1792 when William Carey preached his famous sermon from Isaiah 54, 2-3 under two main heads I' expect great things from God" and "atte~pt great things for God ". That led to the formation of a Foreign Mission Association, and the one led to many more, and the Protestant Christian churches had found a suitable form for the activity of carrying the Gospel message to every corner of the world. The mission activity was carri~d on with sucb devotion tb~t in o\lr tilil~

9 2 'l'he SANTAL MISSION OF 'l'he NORTHERN CHURCHES. I: to take it up in a missionary spirit" is a recommendation in this country and, we can daily hear about., political missions" and in this ou~ evil time even 'bombing missions '". The Christia~ missionary movement has become worldwide. organized, a?d also recognized; but the real spirit of the missionary movement is to be found in words like this:.f I have given th~m thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. _ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the. evil. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." J oh. 17, Through this time of agony the missionary movement is called upon to examine its abode, whether it remains the City of God or not. This 'Mission also has by now seen a great number of years. It was started, so to say, in an ordinary mud cottage of a Santa Is villlage named Belbuni, south of Asanbani some time_in the month of September 1866, and the founding of the first station at Benagaria took place a year later in the most humble way. But the Word of God was brought into the Santali language and into the life of the Santal community, and the number of those accepting the living message has constantly been on the increase. And. Santal Christians have.been instrumental in taking the same priceless message to the Boros in Assam and also at times been able to win some of the superior feeling Bengalees for the Lord. But it is well to remember that when the autumn storm rages the withered leaves fall. the dry branches break off, and even whole trees are uprooted. That is a page of destruction in nature h~ading on to a. new one

10 SEVENTY--BEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 3 of reconstruction and healthy growth. And in the structure of the human society such a time of destruction as we are in. is equally much a time of reconstruction and hope. The human society has seen many forms and is always liable to changes; but the City of God shall abide for 'ever. ~he year 1943 was from beginning to end characterized by the elementary necessity of procuring 'food. Universa~ nervousness was noticeable everywhere, among tillers of the soil as well as among those of service with monthly pay. In some areas where we are working the price of rice and paddy went as high as seven times the level of 1942~ and at the, close of the year it was about three time the level of Everyone will understand that such conditions create fres'h difficulty for a strained work like ours. But though it is true that the elementary necessity of procuring food has had a,priority claim on all and everybody, this in itself is not contrary to the rellgious!jfe our Lord has asked us to lead. "Give us this day our daily bread ',' is a prayer we have from Him, and it would be well if we through such years learned to give thanks for the mercy received when we have gotten "the daily bread ". It is the hardest time imaginable for missionaries when they have to see people arround suffering from want and their own fundr do not enable them to help as need would be. Tears have been shed during 1943 from this agony. Happil enough the rainy season was seasonable and both the maize crop and the paddy crop W6re excellent. so by the end of the year the majority of the surviving population was a.gain appearing to be well-fed, though somewhat' less than well-clad.

11 ,. THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. As a Mission Society we ha.ve experienced the faithful support of bur American Board and the War Emergency Comntittee of the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India and, received the c.ontinued 1.iberal grants for a number of institutions from t,he provincial Governments of Bihar, Bengal and Assam, and also a very large special non-recurring grant of &S. 15,000/ for the Saldoha Leper Colony when food 'prices threatened to force a close down. The Church of Scotland S~ntal Mission has likewise continued to support the Koaerabani and Maharo schools and their Santal Chris"tian community has continued to send us their quarterly self-sacrificing offerings. The Royal Norwegian Government in London remembered us with a donation this year also, and so did some individual friends. We 'are indeed indebted to high and low for so much help, support and encouragement. Messrs. N orinco Limited,. Calcutta, has been the Managing Agents of the Mornai Teao Garden, and even through this year of greatly increased expenditure has the garden given a good outturn and also a fair net surplus. No missionaries could go on furlough and no missionaries returned from homelands during the year under review. As nearly the whole staff has been out more tha.n what we are accustomed to' call a period, we have continued to give some of them extended stay in hill stations. A few have had to go into hospitals for treatment and have gained new strength and it looked as. if we should get through this year also without any serious loss. But on the 18th of December the Reverend Magnus Landoy died from double pneumonia at Joema Mission station, leaving behind a berea.ved wife and a baby of six months ;-a.nd a Mission stunned by such a grea.t and sudden loss.

12 Magnus Landoy came from Sunnfjord' on the Westcoas,t of Norway. During his time of study at Oslo he worked his way, and was thus a very experienced person when he arrived on. the mission' field in the fall of He was almost at once placed at Joema station and grew quickly and intimately into the work there. In 19&0 he married Miss Adelaide Alberts, and as her home is in America they had planned to go to the U. S., A. on furlough as soon as travel should become somewhat feasible. But that should D?t be for him; he was laid to rest near the Joema church, and his grave will bear witness about a life devoted to the work of our Lord. But the Santal Mission has sustained a very great loss. And words fail to express our sympathy with Mrs. Landoy and little Anne, who will never be able to remember her father. "According to Thy promise, 0 God, be Thou the defender of the widow and the' Father of the orphan ", we pray in church, and may this truth come with con Bolati9D whenever needed. The Executive Committee of the Mission met at Dumka in January, April, July and October, and the main problem to deal with every time was the emergency mea Bures in connection with the high prices. The Missionary Conference met 11th-15th December to face the pro.blem of keeping the work going the coming year also may become the year of crisis in this great conflagration, and-as we believe-the year of the great victory and liberation of two of our homelands. The small items of news which we have re"ceived from Norway and Denmark indicate that our Mission organiza.tion in those countries has not been destroyed and that the missionary spirit is as active as ever; but that, on a.ccount of present conditions, they cannot even communica.te with us, much less can they send us any supvort. Natura.lly we do not know much about how things

13 6 THE SMiTAL MISSION OF rhe NORTHERN CHURCHES. a:re there. We have heard with grief that one very faithful friend of this Mission, Vice-President of. the Norwegian Board, Mr. B. H. Ronsberg, suddenly died early in the year at his home close to Oslo. May God grant strength and faith to those he left behind I From Denmark, according to a radio message, our aged Trustee, Pastor Emeritus Count Viggo Moltke, died last summer. The love such devoted persons have given to this work bears fruit in the continued existence of the work. J. GAUSDAJ....

14 WORK IN BIHAR.KAERABANI DISTRICT...:\5 in the previous annual report we shall also as regards the year 1943 have to report about changes. In J ambua, in our " farthefi3t West ", a building for the accomodation of the school-master and the pastor was constructed. As yet we have no pastor there but hope to have one in the near future. Mongol Besra was transfer. red to J ambua from Dighari. In his place as leader in the Dighari congregation came Daniel Tudu from Dhobona. Both these men have during the year had the burden -of sorrow added to the burden of their duties, as their wives died. In both cases the children have had to be placed with their grand parents. We have a feeling that the work has not been in vain in those two places. And the same might be said concerning Dhobona where J agdis Kisku (from Pahrudi) was placed. But also in Babhondiha a change -had to be made. Pastor Bhogon Murmu volunteered to go as a pastor into a new field far to the North to a place where several Santals have lately emigrated from other areas where we have hither to been working. A. committee of Santals are conducting the new work and Bhogon is their missionary. We over here miss Bhogon in the work. But we also hope that by leaving us for such work he will by his example be an encouragement. We need a wider outlook and that is just wha..t is opened to us in this new work,

15 S THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHUROHES. These changes have, necessitated meetings and deliberations in our Church-Council over here, given us more experience, awakening more anxiety and care and a heavier feeling of responsibility for the work. Along with that I think it ought to be emphasized that 1943 with its dearness problems showed at the close of the account, for Church collections and other offerings an increase of Rs as against the year It is certainly a great encouragement for which we are thankful especially as the increase is to a large extent due to increasing collections in the., out-station congregations ". The workers over here are besides the above mentioned: Pastor N aran Soren, Kaerabani station: Daniel Marndi in Monohor: Jonas Hasdak' in Domboria (at the time of this being written, incapacitated by some brain trollble ); Chondo Hembrom in Domkata: Siblal Kisku in the comparatively new congregation at Sagra near Pala. juri to the North: Budhrai Kisku in one of the loneliest mission station I have ever seen (to the South-east), Rak. The two Bible Women, Lachmi and Kornel's mother here at Kaerabani. As regards the village school work we have had the following teachers: Somae Murmu in Dhobona; Nitanondo :M:arndi. (son of Karu Pastor who died several years ago in MaIda). in his village Monhor. where his uncle Da.niel is living; Bajun Soren in Babhondiha; Karan Murmu in Jambua. Munsi from Domkata (elder brother of Nitanondo) has started studying theology in our Divinity School in Chondorpura. We miss him, but his work for some years in a vill... age school is a good preparation for congregational work and also a good base for a theological training. R. ROSENLUND.

16 SEVENTY:""SE VENTH ANNUAL REPORT~ KAERABANI SANTAL HIGH SCHOOL. There has been a further red.uction in the number of students since The difficulty in obtaining food kept many boys from joining the school in J a.nuary 1943, and some day-schojar~ who began the school-year could not attend the classes the last part of the year because it was difficult for them to reach the school and do their school work on an empty stomach. The recruitment. to the w~r service has also this year taken some students from the school, but other boys haye joined the school financed by relatives ih the war service. We are thank. ful to' have been able to carryon the work and maintain the school in 1943 inspite of very great difficulties in the country. THE HIGH SCHOOL. The High School (High & Middle classes) had 219 students of whom 58 were in the four High School clarses, while the four Middle School classes had 161. T.he work in the classes was faithfully carried out by' the staff, and the results of the examinations were very satis- ' factory. Of the 7 students who appeared for the Matriculation examination under Patna. University, 71% passed. 2 of these 5 passed in the second division, one being &' Santa!. In the Middle School examination 94% passed, 35 students were sent up and 33 passed. In the rest of the classes the average percentage of passes was 90. The religious instruction was carried on faithfully by the Christian staff who volunteered to take a Bible period every morning in each class in addition to the ordinary 1.. C a.ss routine. During the year some cha nges ha ve been made in the staff. We have secured a trained graduate for the upper classes, who seems to settle down in Kaer.aba.ni. B

17 10 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Gora Tudu an old Kaerabani boy has joined the sohool after finishing his teachers' training in Bhagalpur. We also have a new mathematics teacher for the High School. The annual prize distribution took place on the 30th of March. Mr. W. G. Archer, 1. C. S., the Deputy Commissioner of Santal Parganas, kindly presided and Mrs. Archer gave away the prizes. We have had the privilege of getting Mr. W. G. Archer as a member in 'the Governing Body, and he has been a great help to us during the year. We ext~nd our 'hearty thanks to him for this good help and encouragement. Kaerabani being far away from public communications and the shortage of petrol in the country have probably hinde:red the Inspecting officets from coming to the school.. We are thankful to the Government of Bihar for the grant we have received for the High School. GURU TRAINING SCHOOL. The work in the Training-School was carried on normally. Nine guru students appeared at the examination in November 1942, and all passed. They are all in teaching work now. A new batch of students was taken in in January. We have received with thanks Rs. 600/- in grant from the Government of Bihar. THE LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL. The number of students in the Lower Primary school was 116. The work was carried on steadily under the sepervision of Mr. J. Minz. Visits were paid by the Sub Inspector of Schools who expressed his sa tisfactiod with the work done. We have received Rs. 480/- in grant from the local Government, for which we are thankful. HOSTEL. ApproJ:imp.tely 170 boys W~l'e living in the hostel.

18 We had to ta ke in a few more boys during the rainy season as they were starving at home. -The life in the hostel went on peacefully. The boys seemed happy and contented and join,ed in their games with great enthusiasm. SCHOOL-DISPENSARY. We were troubled with quite a lot of malaria among the boys in 1943; fortunately we had enough Quinine for their treatment. But we are anxious for the new year concerning Quinine. The little we get from Government (4 oz) is far from enough and the market prices for Quinine are enormous. There was a little empidemic of chicke:r:t-pox among the boys; all recovered very quickly. Weare very thankful that w.e did not have any serious illness among the boys in Dr. E. Ostergaard from Benagaria Hospital came to examine the boys. the staff and people in the compound and from the district. ' We thank Dr. E. Ostergaard for coming here and for 'his great help in supervising the dispensary. We hope that we will be able to meet the demand of medicines for the boys in the coming year. Also during this year some non-christian boys from our school have been baptised. JOHS. KROHN. r: 11 DUMKA DISTRICT. On Sunday the 11th of April we had church service as usual in the forenoon. and at 4. P. M,. a severe hailstorm froid N. W. struck us. The whole of the north half of the church roof was smashed as if it had been bombarded from the clouds. Hails as big as a fist were seen. Ha~pily we had no loss of Hie.

19 12 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHUROHES. Materials are not obtainable nowadays, and transport nearly impossible, so the outlook was very sad; but to our great relief.left-over asbestos slates were found both at.lca.erabani, Maharo and the Benagaria Hospital, and thus we were enabled to get the rqo( on again, though it had. to be done hastily before the rains should set in. All tiled buildings were also much damaged, and since that day we have been much burdened with repairs, and we a.re not yet through it. Labour is expensive and materials both costly and difficult to get. And in the last big rain of this rainy season the I' Barrel" on top of the ~itchen collapsed, adding to the previous. heavy programme of.repairs. Otherwise the work in the Dunika, Ranga, Chukapani and Dum area had a quiet year in Mis~ion work both by preachers and teachers was carried an as usual. Chur~h members had their share in the universal anxiety. of the time, and we hope that the regular services in emu-roh listening to the Word of God and enjoying the fellowship of believers gave them encouragement. 'The women's II Cuput' Canda" and the "Mela" in November were the two most encouraging features of the year. Church collections amounted to Rs !.1, "OllPl1t' Cando." to Rs , and the "Mela" to Rs ~. It is noteworthy that the last was planned and managed entirely by the Santals themselves. The workers were the same as last year. Karan pa.stor was only able to make one long tour to Santal units on the eastern side. He came back with infection of kala-azar, and it took him weeks of treatment to get over,it. Jujhar.and Munsi pastors have continued with their :units far off, and have been doing good service' The contact with the Santal Companies wa.s maintained '&8,far a.s possible fl"om our side. Letters were replied to, books supplied. money taken care,of, etc.

20 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 13 And the Red Cross Central for Santal Parganas was also.ta.ken care of in the Mission House for many months of the year. INGRID & JOHANNES GAUSDAL. DUMKA BENG~LI WORK. This year some repair had to be done to the small house used for Bengali worship in Dangalpara. T1,le building had at one time been used as a reading room for students from the High School and only for some years as a place of regular worship. N ow we decided to remove a partition wall and give the interior an appearance fit for a small church, and after this was completed we had a dedication service on the 30th of May. A member of the Tamil E. L. Church was at that time working in an office here in Dumka and was with us on that occabio~ Bond took part in the service. J. GAUSDAJ KOROYA. KOROY A MISSION AND o Rp HANAGE. When we look back upon the past year with the many difficulties and much sickness, both in our compound as well as out in villages, with scarcity of food and high price~, we feel very thankful to God who has helped us through. He has again proved His faithfulness in helping His children, for which we praise. Him. Our workers have tried to do their work and encouraged the people to trust in God. Who alone can helve

21 i4 T,iIE SANTAL MissioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Church attendance has been far from good. The reason may be that so many of the men-folks are a way for different kinds of work, and beside that hunger and sickness. None has been baptized fro~ among the heath-, ens either 'here or in Majd~ha. Six girls were confirmed after some weeks' instruction. We have continued our Bible reading and prayer meetings as well as Sunday School. ORPHANAGE. We have at present 20 children in the Orphanage. One boy who finished his M. E. wilj enter High School next year. His brother, who is in the Observer Corps, will pay his expenses. One girl also passed her M. E. The girl who has been taking her nurses' training finished that in February and is now taking midwifery course. Five new children have been admitted in our Orphanage. One girl who failed in her 7th class test exam. is now earning her Ii ving by working here in the house. SCHOOL. It has been,rather a difficult year for the school work. Much sickness and starvation prevented the children from attending school regularly. The teaching staff has been four. Four children passed in their U. P. examination and one got his U. P. scholarship. MAJDIHA. The work has been carried on by the Pastor and two evangelists. The school work there is getting on nicely. Five boys passed their U. P. examination. We are thankful to God and friends who ha.ve enabled us to carryon this year, too. LAURA LOHNE~

22 SEVENTY-SEYENTH ANNUAL REPORT. ls MAHARO DISTRICT. This year we have felt very much that we need more workers. Our pastor, Ruben Murmu, has been so busy looking after different problems that came up among the members of his flock that he hardly gets time for his real pastoral work. His only helper this year also is Lodhea: he is good in many ways, but we need help. Four young men were baptized and have a few who are asking for baptism; but it is very difficult to get them instru'cted with the workers we have. I am glad to say that our Biblewoman, N oha, this new year, has a new companion, Rani. Her husband is a cook; Miss Sigurdsen recently i brought them here. May Rani be a good helper! At Assanthar Dhanai has been the preacher; he has seen three baptized there from the Mahra caste, who do not understand Santali, so he has to talk to them in Bengali after the sermon on Sundays. In his place we got Samuel as teacher, but it does not seem a good change for the school; we will try Samuel one more year. At Dum brio. we have the same two workers, J ohon Murmu, the pastor, and Ehator. There seems to be a good spirit in that little congregation, but none have been added. At Jalwae there must be a change, as Mirja seems to be unable to keep the few ChristianR together. The great ne.ed all over is for a revival amongst us; we keep on praying for that. The fact that so many of our young boys are away from thehornes makes the atmosphere so different amongst us. What will they bring when they come back 1. We are afraid. It may be good, it may be evil. They will be very changed: we feel that when they come home on holidays,

23 t6 THE SANlr.AL- MISSION 'OF 'l'he NORTHERN OHUROHES. Our weekly meetings in the villages around have been few for the above mentioned reason. The same about ca.mping; it seems a.lmost impossible to get away. - The church attendance has been fairly good, and so I close this little report wondering that inspite of all life is liv~d so smoothly in this little corner of the world, and that we are able to gather in peace both for worship and for school work. And we wonder with thankful hearts, how God is able to supply all we need for soul and body in such times I Therefore. inspite of the feeling that we have been able to do very little we thank God that we are allowed to keep on. May it be to the glory of His name! May His kingdom come 1 DINA NIELSEN. MAHARO GIRLS M, E..AND TRAINING SCHOOL. We ha. ve again proved that the Lord is faithful and "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ". It did so often seem difficult to get what we needed for our big family, both of food and other necessities, but our Heavenly Father carried us through. We' started the year with 214 girls on the roll and ended it with 194. Some always drop out after the sum- J mer holiday, and I am sorry to lay that we had to expel 3 for bad behaviour. 13 girls appeared at the Middle Certifica.te' examination and all passed. One girl pa.ssed with honour and distinction in English, another passed "With distinction in' arithmetic. 2 girls appeared in English only' and both passed. One girl has obtained U. P. sehola.rship. 2 girls sat for the L. ;Po schola.rship examination,

24 SEVENTT-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORt. 17 but the result is not yet known. From the Training class 10 girls appeared at the Junior Teachers' certificate examination. The result is not yet known. All who appeared the previous year pa,ssed. We were so thankful,that we did not have any rea:! s~rious illness among the children; the health of the students was as a whole good. We want to express our gratitude to our teachers for their good and faithful work. We have an exceptionally good staff and they are helping us in so many ways. As before. the girls themselves have done all the work in their cottages. We are glad they manage to do it as well as they really do. It is of help to them that we have no school on Saturdays. so they get time for looking after things in their homes. We have had our Sunday morning prayer meeting and Light Bea'rer meetings as before. In October we had pastor Kalu Kisku to take meetings for some days in the school and we received both encouragement and blessing from them. We close the year with thanks to all who have helped us by their prayers and gifts. We know that our friends and our homelands, Denmark and Norway, are upholding us by their prayers, and we are thankful to our American friends and the Scotch Mission for ali they have been doing for us in these difficult years. N ANOY DIESEN. c

25 1.8 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. MOHULPAHARI DISTRICT. "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." From a statistical point of view we cannot say that this year shows much progres.s in the work. It is a sad fact that instead of an expected revival and progress in the work there have been signs of growing lukewarmness. During the year the food sho:rtage was very much felt by many of our Christians, but the fine harvest of rice in the last 3 months gave a brighter outlook for the future. And we hope and pray that the word of salvation sown out this year also shall accomplish that which pleases the Lord of the harvest. We are thankful to God that our Sunday services and our work in the villages could be carried on as :usual. At the close of the rainy season one family in Lokhonpur village and one family in Mohulpahari village came and asked for instruction. If they prove to be in earnest in their seeking the Kingdom of God they will be baptized in the new year. To our congregation here the aeath of Kandna Hembrom, teacher in Ambajora school, was a great loss. He will be remembered by many parents and children as a very faithful Christian worker. In the middle of october about 270 Christian Santal women from nearly all our congregations in Santal Parganas gathered for 4 days meetings here in Mohulpahari. The Spirit was in our midst, and we believe some hearts were touched and some hands strengthened by the Lord. During the year our two compounders have been helping many suffering people. It has been difficult to supply the medicine needed, especially quinine. For the

26 many non-christian patients short Gospel messages have been regularly given in Santali and Bengali. With greetings and thanks to all who have stood by us in prayer. EDLE SIGURDSEN. DHOROMPUR & TILABANI DISTRICTS.. DHOROMPUR AND AMGACHI CONGREGATIONS. When the Amgachi pastor, Bajun Murmu, in July was transferred to the Kaerabani district that congregation. too, had to be attended to by Pastor J ohon Hasdak' at Dhorompur. As the only elder we have on that side, Choron Murmu, is old and of somewhat weak health, and besides that lives in the eastern corner of the field, in Honja Rampur, we have during the last half year, especially, felt the need of more workers. The result is as one may expect. One young man from the congregation tried to start a school, first at Nijhor and later a.t Amgachi, but he succeeded only for a short time. We hope now that he may be of some help to us as a preacher. In Dhorompur district itself there are at places signs which indicate that we may expect better times, A few new ones were added to the congregation both last year and this year. As they are of fervent spirit a.nd keen on witnessing, we hope that God by them shall lead new life into the congregation. The school at Dhorompur has not been able to stand the constant changes of teachers during the last years;,,b'"t We must, hope for more stable conditions.

27 20 THE SANT~ MIssioN OF THE NOTRHE~ O~l;rRCH,ES. ~RIKADOR. In the Karikador congregation several forces appear to have been. at work trying to split the congregation. Illness among the worke:rs has not made matters better. Anpa Tudu, one elder, had to get sick-leave for, a long time and we are afraid that he will not be able to take. up the work again there. When bad elements with influence start to sow discord within the congregation, they cannot be properly served witb only one elder. Four families have been under instruction for baptism, and we hop~ to baptize them soon. TIL A BANI. In the Tilabani district itself we have much to praise the Lord for during the year that has passed. YVhen we except the southern part of the area, we must say that God has opened a door for us. Several families have been added to the congregation,' as well as some single individuals. The attendance at the Women's meetings has been good and children have gathered for Sun.. day' school here and at Bagjobda. Lotabani and Bagjobda are under the elder Mongla, but none has been apded to the congregation. During the year we had two 'Sabha's, one at Dhorompur for the adjoining districts, 'and one at Tilabani. May the Lord in mercy send labourers to the fields and grant us in the coming year a greater harvest! P. PEDERSEN. CHONDORPURA DISTRICT. Thi~ year we have been' able to devote more time to the district work than at any time' since we came 'here. During the cold season we camped at several outstations visiting the sur-rounding ~llages with th~ worken.

28 At the beginning of the hot season (,23rd March- 9th April) we had a time of great blessing during the Bible course for workers and others from all districts in Santal Parganas. A spirit of Christian fellowship was most evident throughout the three weeks we were together. Many said that they had received a fresh vision of their Saviour and the task to which He had called them and expressed the desire that such larger Bible courses for the workers be held Yearly. The only change in the staff has been that Chunu Murmu moved to Tarni in January. After his' ordination, which took place in Dumka, Whitsunday June 13, the district was divided into four pastorates. Chunu Murmu became the, pastor to Tarni and Bhalsungia, Tika Mumu to Chirapathor and Amgachi, Chaku Tudu to Ranga and' Gadiapani and Galu Soren to Bhitra, Pandanpahari and Chondorpura. Mongla Marndi, Bhalsungia, was appointed to help in the work there and occasionally conduct Sunday survices. During the the year the workers have been placed as follows, the figure- in ( ) being' the total number of Christians in each local congregation:- Ra11;ga (80):- Pastor Chaku Tudu Elder Raja Marndi Teacher J ohon Hasdak' Gadia/Jani' (169) :- Eider Bhaero Murmu Teacher Ramchoron M urmu Ckotorckua school: Teacher Sorkar murmu Bkalsungia (93):- Asst. Elder Mongla Marndi Tarni (167):- Pastor Chunu Murmu Elder Joseph Murmu " Joseph Marndi Ckira/Jatkor (118) : Pastor Tika M ur~ u Elder Singrai M urm u Teacher Paul Murmu Aingachi (190): Elder Shim Marndi " Gopal Soren

29 22 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CitURCHES. Pandan/Jakari (54): Elder Ronjon Murmu Bkitra (35):- Elder Munshi Murmu Ckondor/Jura ~ 495 ) :r Pastor Gal u Soren " Kalu Kisku Teacher Barnabas Marndi " Porimola Hembrom Monthly women's meetings have been held, and during the hot season a confirmation class for girls was held once a week for four months. There was an attendance of 20, all of whom were confirmed in June. Part of the year a weekly Bible class for illiterate men was held in Chondorpura, but only very few could be persuaded to attend. In December we had the joy of receiving back into the church one of our former elders, Bhogon ':,jhem brom with family, who for some years had been Roman Catholics. The total number of baptisms during the' yea'r "1s 49. In the school work we have had the encouragement that three of our schools, i. e. Chondorpura. Chotorchua and Ranga, have been recognized as L. P. s~hools by the Dlstrict Inspector of Schools, S. P. It certainly if:! a great privilege that we have been a.llowed to carry on the work undisturbed, in peace and quiet, and have had enough fo'r our daily need, while others have had to be in the midst of war, famine a.nd persecution. "- His merciful kindness is great toward us, t. Praise ye the Lord." (Pe. 117, 2). ALVHILD & A. E. STRONs'rAD.

30 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 23 SAN TAL DIVINITY SCHOOL. The school remained closed during the year, but it may be reported that three Bible courses were conducted for the Santal workers and others in all three fields. The first was held in Chondorpura during the hot season, from 23rd March to 9th April. The atendance was 73, and lectures were given alternately by 5 missionaries and 3 Santal pastors. The second was held in N arayanpur (Dinajpur) from 19th to 29th October. and was attended by 43. the majority of whom were Santal workers from MaIda and Dinajpur. The third course was held in Grahampur for the Assam field from 1st to 13th November. Here the attendance varied between 50 and 60; at some meetings up to 100 people were present. At these two courses lectures were given by pastor Kalu Kisku and myself. According to the decision of the Executive committee at its April meeting, preparations have been made for the opening of the school again in January next. Students from North Bengal and Assam were selected a t the Bible courses on recommendations by the North Bengal Santa I Church Council, the Assam Church Council and the Boro Church Council. From the Santal Parganas areas the students were selected on recommendations by the local district-missionary. Altogether 18 students ha ve been selected. It may be added that the second teacher, pastor Kalu Kisku. was granted a stipend for further study,.and he visited the Allahabad Bible Institute during the first half of the year. The rest of the year he has helped. in the congregational work. besides ~iving lectures t\t two of

31 24 'J.1HE SANTAL MISSION OF 'l'he NORTHERN OHURCHES. the above. Bible courses and taking part in the prepara. tions for the opening of the new three years' course. On the 22nd of December the first meeting of the Divinity 'School committee was held at Dumka. The number of students selected was approved, and the rate of their stipends and other allowances was fixed. Questions regarding the general governing of the school, such as the curriculum for both the men's and women's classes were discussed. The staff is taking the many suggestions and hints into account. It is also recorded with gratitude that the Rev. R. Rosenlund has written a book on Dogmatics in Santali, which we hope will soon be printed, Looking forward to welcoming the new batch of students with their wives we earnestly solicit the continued prayers and help of all friends near and far.' ALVHILD & A. E. STRONS'FAD. SAL DOHA LEPER OOLONY AND DISTRICT. Another year has passed and we are thankful to report that we were able to continue the work here at Saldoha on about the same scale as before. On the last day of 1942 a meeting of the Board of Management of the Colony was held here at Saldoha, mainly to discuss the most difficult situation rising out of the increased prices of foodstuffs. It was provisionally decided that day that the number of inmates in the Colony should be restricted to 300. It was further decided to approach Government for extra help. Prior to this decision a letter had already been sent to Government asking for an increase in the Oa'pitation Grant. This was also finally granted, the Capitation Grant being raised

32 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 25 from Ra. 3/8/- a month to Rs. 5/-. Following the above mentioned meeting a detailed analysis of the financial situation and the prospects of the Colony was forwarded to Government. pointing out that unless substantial help was forthcoming it would be impossible to carryon the work. It is most gratifying to put on record that Government responded very liberally and gave us a nonrecurrent grant of Rs. 15,900/-. For this we are very thankful. For various reasons it proved impossible to keep the number of patients at the level decided on by the Board, the chief reason being the extraordinary big influx of leper patients during the year, This again was, of course, mainly due to the famine-like conditions in the surrounding districts. During the year 432 lepers were treated as inmates of the Colony and 247 as out-door patients. 7 patients were discharged as symptom free and 6 under odservation. 29 patients were sent home as improved cases to give room for new applicants, In admitting nen patients prefere~ce ha.s been given to infective cases. The medical work of the Colony suffered a great loss when our able and efficient medical officer, Dr. S. P. Ghose, after 4~2 years of service, l~ft us in August to join military service. We have been fortunate to get Dr. K. N. Biswas to serve in his pla.ce. The chief occupation of the patients bas continued to be agricultural work. New pieces of land hp.ve been broken up and added to the cultivated area of the Colony. Further big areas await the tiller's hand. Epidemics of malaria have this year made big inroads on available la.bour. In addition to the agricultural work our workshop with its weaving and carpentry sections ha~ given occupation 1>

33 26 THE SANT~ MISSION Of THE. N'Q.J{TlI:m:&N CRURCHES. to quite a. few young peqple. All ~e:p$.ir work on houses In the Colony bas been undertfltken by the pau~~ts th~msqlves. The ed1,1.c,ational and apiritua1. work h~,s gone. on much as tn J?revious years..all chhdren in the Colony attend school ~nd adult classes have also been in existence. 21 patients h~ve- been ba:pth;ed during the year. In the dieltl'ict Ruben pastor with the help of elders and Biblewomen has carried on the work. At the close of the year 8 people were baptized and admitted to the congregation. We long for greater openings in the villages round about and for awakening among,st the Christians. The number of village schools in the district is 3 besides the U. P. School here at Salftoha. * * "Behold, I make all things new". This is a word we like to carry with us into the year confronting us and would like to 'give it a many-sided' application. The world at large, as well as we in our restricted sphere of service, needs more than ever the renewing touch of Him who sitteth on the, throne. JOK. JOHANSEN. "PERA HOR." During the year 1943 Pera Hor has been printed in 2400 copies. There has been a small increase in the number of subscribers also this year. The extended circulation of the paper amongst the troops which we hoped for did not, howevel', materialise. Quite a. few take the ~per, but the number of regular subscribers is wholly

34 incongruous to the,number of literate Santals who have joined up. For a. Chrietian vernacular paper in India copies is, however, a big impression. According to Mr. Cra-in, who on behalf of National Christian Council inspected Gur Printing Press this year, "Pera Hor" has one of the biggest circulations in India, and seen in relationship to the community it serves, it may be the biggest. While this is encouraging enough, it should not conc~al the fact that hundreds of lite-rate Christians in the Missions amongst the Santals do not subscribe to the only available Santali paper, and cooperation from Missionaries and nationals is therefore essential in order to, enlist the interest of a11 these out-siders a.nd further increase the circulation. Paper prices have been very high for some time and difficulties bave also been experienced in getting a sufficient supply. Owing to increasing expenres in publishing the paper we ha ve also this year closed with a deficit. We expect, however, to make up for this next year as we are in hopes of getting paper at Government controlled rates. The subscriptions this year came to Rs. 1,654/- and the subsidy from the Mission has continued to be Rs. 400/-. With somewhat normal prices ruling the paper market, it should be possible to make "Pera Hor h entirely self-supporting. N unku Soren has continued as a.ssistant editor and ha.s given inva.lua.ble and unstinted service. JOH. JOHANSEN.

35 28 THE SAN TAL ~ISSION OF THE N6RTHERN CHURCHES. BASETKUNDI DISTRICT,.... to rulz our appointed course with steadiness, eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer arid perfection of faith " (Heb. 12, 1-2). Here is no doubt the secret in successful Christian work, to keep steady in the course and have the goal clear before one: Him who is the perfection of faith. We have to admit on our part that to learn this is a hard process. One often trembles on, looking forward; trying experiences and disappointments are constantly tempting us to discouragement and to shrink back from faithful service. This is especially realized at a time when' the minds of the Christians also have been increasingly taken up by "the things of this world ", troubled about what to eat anti what to put on the body. This worry sometimes even lurk at one's own door Naturally, also our Indian co-workers have been badly off and.given to much worrying, and hence they have been dangerously tempted to gaze at their own need forgetting that of others. It has been hard. indeed, to help them view the difficulties in a true Christian way. remembering Him who called us to follow through sufferings and also to bear in mind what Christians in other lands are being faced with and going through. ThuB they have' not been able to inspire Congregational much courage among their still less fortunate brethren. Nevertheless, they have work tackled the tasks in their respective congregations and so far, at least have most of them been faithful. When we look at the church attendance in these pla.ces-12 in all, and mostly congregations founded at the early time of the pioneers-we have found it rather too small this year. Still in some of the congregations the workers, the most able among them, are really succeeding our

36 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 29 n making the gathering for.sunday servic~ more import Lnt and more profitable for the attendants. After the rdinary service they keep the whole congregation for Sunday School', teaching them and reminding them of he meaning of the Creed and the Lord.'s Prayer and training them in hymn singing and so on. In this and the."r ways we are trying and hoping to have the brethren a. little more appreciate of the fact that they are saved nto a Christia.n fellowship, One of these ways, we have found, is to stimulate the collections, or offerings. It is no easy task to make the Christians feel glad to give more for the Lord's work among them. Still a Sunday in November set apart as Harvest Festival.with a special harvest tl~anksgi ving service brought in about Rs. 135/ worth in rice. offerings of their new crop. This made the Church collection for the year increase by one half of the usual amount. But when thinking of the 1500 Christians in this district we feel, indeed. both anxious and sorry that we have done so poorly at this important point. The future prospect for the Christian community has become serious also in this country and challenges us to consider it earnestly. We feel also sorry that the members of local Church Council3 (one for each congregation) have been very little active. The failure is on our side: For some time we have not been able to gather them at all. But we are glad that during the last half of this year a change has taken place. The workers have been taught repeatedly what "Kristan Man~ler"-the Christian Church-really is, and by Bible readings ane! actual experiellces are being helped to look a little bit deeper into the vital functions of the Church. In this way they have begun to realise that further building up of the Christian community is a. tremendous work which can' be done only to a very little extent by themselves alone. So now they are realizing the n~ed more olearly and thus themselves urging

37 3-6 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTttERN OHURC:t4:ES. the members to gather both locally and here at the m-ain station when we 'Call them for Bible reading a.nd prayer and di+mussion of the problems, a.iming that they be made more willing to take on them a share of the responsibi-' lity as they gra.d~ally waken up to recognize how great and heavy it is. They also Beem to reach the understanding tha.t this is rightly expected of them without any kind of pay from the Mission to keep them at it. Now to be able to make steady progress along this line, they have agreed to gather every month with the elders and pa.stors in our mid-monthly meeting here. The few things now mentioned do not mean that these are new activities. It only goes to prove that the young Santal Church, in this area at least, still needs tremendous support. Especially the need for spiritual support is very great in these times. As regards some of the congregations we feel the burden very heavy, but to bring about an inflow of life into dead forms, that is a super-human task; and still that is the Christian enter-, prise. We are here to be means toward that end-a fact I that makes ~ne tremble. The two pastors and I have tried to bring the Roly Communion to the congregations. We realize that to reach them only 5-6 times, and for some places even less than that during the whole year, is far too little. The elders a.nd pastors ha.ve a.ttended two Bible Cours as, one in Chondorpura. in April for nearly three weeks, and one here in September. rwhon Kalu pa.stor gtt.ve us invaluable help with his genuine and deep-going Bible teaohing. Also the schools -have been confronting us TIl, Sclwols with the Same old problems. It is a c~allenge that is certainly great and far beyond what we have been able to respond to suooessfully in

38 Itn" way,,; But let the task be- impossible, in the Christia.n serv\ce it will always be SQ.. Still we co.ntinue the struggle of faith to overcome all the attempts of the enemy to J;Uake one lose ho~ We have been fortunate to be able to gather also the teachers twice for refresher courses here at the centre togath8.l' with most of the Governme.nt school t.ea.~hers hereabout. Gora Tudu (a Kaeraba.ni teacher from this district) has b.een the main lacture.r a.nd ha.s done very good and inspiring work. Besides, special efforts have been made to make at least our own Kaerabani trained teachers (quite a few of the Govt. teachers are also Christ-, ians) realise their calling to be a service in and for the Christian community. by which they themselves have been so greatly helped and privile~ed. The fact t'hat they are willing to recognize this makes us expect a result along this line, and the expectation gives us courage. We might mention the sad fact that one of our outstation teachers failed to take any interest in the life and work of the church in that place, even if he- wa.s asked to do or charged 'with it, and finally he also neglected his school and went home to hifl far..a.way village where he for some tim~ was out of our control, and thus discharged himself. An educated young man from the congregation there has now applied. to. become teaohe.r. with the recommendation of the mem bsrs. Both he and they were informed in our District Counoil meeting that he can have no hope for any pay from the Mission for at lea.st ha.lf a. year, thereby giving him time and a chance to prove that he has a mind to serve the Christia.n fellowship in that place. Without this we think the people over there oan do with a Government school as well. This insta.nce is mentione:l only to justify our QPlDlQll th!\ t unless the school teachers a.lso can be led a.nd 31

39 32' THE SAN-TAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. helped to reveal a more true Christian spirit in their attitude to the local congregations, most of the schools in this area - they are now only 7 in all - had better be closed down. Still 2 or 3 of them will remain. namely in places where at least half of the children attending are of Christian parents. The young U. P. Boarding school here had its 5th class completed at the end of the year. The few boys' who sat for examination were passed by Kaerabani censors. Now they have all gone there and been admitted into the 6th class of the High School. But now to help the workers, the elders and pastors as well as the teachers, we desire to go on calling them in for Bible and instruction-courses, as we believe the Lord will truly stand by with strength and wisdom for this important work. Along with this we also desire to reach deeper in understanding of the Santals, their special diffic~1ties and their way of thinking and feeling. We would also mention with thankfulness what a source of blessing and inspiration it is to oneself to set apart a spec.ial tiii1e to prepare and share the Word of God with the co-workers. Those who have forsaken the heathen way and have been received into the c()ngregation by holy baptirid this year number only 22. There are also a number who have already taken their stand for Christ, but we found it necessary to urge the workers to give them a more thorough teaching before they be baptized. We have made some efforts to have the elders un derstand the necessity of further instruction of the new Christians after baptism also - prepa.ration for being a.cce,pted in the Holy Communion fellowship. Of these a.ttempts we have seen no re~mlts as yet, at least no visible results. But thinking of the Church of Chribt

40 SEVENTY-SE\TENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 33,. we are thankful for that -side of it which we are not able to look into now-the invisible. What a wonderful day when it will be revealed to us I And we shall find many of the Santals there - Glory to His name! ASTRID & HALFDAN KIPPENES. BENAGARIA DISTRICT. "Thus saith the Lord "- When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the ~re, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." rsiah. 43,1-2. In the light of these great words spoken by the prophet of Old, we like to write the short report due for the year past. The expressions "through rivers through fires" do not indicate an easy walk. But still God has been able to take care of his people throughout the ages to the.!:lame degree that they have leaned upon Him. We would not say that the last year has been like walking throjgh fire. Nevertheless it has been a very hard one for a great many people brought nearer to us than at any time before the effects of the great world war with its terrible destruction, devastation, excitements, anxieties and fears. Shortage and abnormal prices of food made a great number of people in our district unable to provide more than half the "daily bread" for weeks and months. A questioning of our workers revealed that many, (wen amongst the best paid, could only allow themselves and their families half the ration of rice uflually consumed in a day, if they were not to starve absolutely f~r the last part of the month. This has often been the case inspite of the fact that the Mission has given an increase in their monthly pay of 33 &: 1/3 % as dearness a.llowance~ E

41 34 'l'he S.ANTAL MISSION OF 'l'he NORTHERN CHUROHES~ Prices of cloth went to iuch prohibitive heights that majority of our poor country people could only partly meet the need of replenishing their small stock of worn attire. Yet our people met these hardships with great patience and hardly any complaints have been heard in the workers group. Towards the end of the year a great relief came by the new c;rop and Government sale of standard cloth at very reasonable prices. Under the circumstances mentioned above it has not been easy to bring 'the Gospel IDes~age to the heart of the village people. Many places a great number would be away to earn their living somewhere else while old people, and perhaps some women and children, would be left behind to look after the house and animals. But we have tried to carryon, praying and hoping that the Lord of the Harvest will bless his own Word and make it bear fruit. As we look back on the year we are very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to baptize 44 persons from amongst the heathens" and admit them into the Ch~istian congregation. Last year the number was 7. The last Sunday of the year we had a festival day with 20 baptisms. One was a baby from a Christian home and the 19 persons from the heathen community. The working staff is the same as last year, with a few alterations. Peter: Murmu, elder at Beldanga, was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel on 13th of June. He is now in charge as pastor of BeJdanga and Sohor congregation. Joseph M,lrmu, elder at Narayanpur has discontinued as paid worker and gone to his ho.me in Sulunga villag~, Dasmath Hcmorom, elder at Belbuni 'and his wife. Rubi MU1mu, Bible woman there, have come to their home at Benagaria, while Lodo. Hasdali and his wife Salgi Hembrom have taken their work at Belbuni. We need more workers. As it is at present, we have no elder at Narayanpur. Dimbadoha and Buru *"mchua. :rart of the area at Belbuni outstation has been

42 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 35 expropriated by Government, while the site of the church and the elder's house was left with us, so we can continue with Belbuni as an outstation as previously. For a time PcJstor Bosonto Dotto and his wife stayed at Belbuni to assist in the work, especially a.mong Bengali-speaking people. We are very thankful for their stay and work there. There are seven paid Bible women at present. But three of them are far beyond the age of pension, by which they have not been benefitted. The small monthly allowance they receive is rather to be considered as old age help than salary. Towards the end of the year, on the 17th of December, one of our best workers as well as one of the best known Christians of the Santal community, ANPI MARNDI, left this world to be with the Lord. She was about 80 years old. Like so many Santal Christians who have not been baptized as babies, she did not' know her age exactly, but she could remember the arrival of the first missionaries at Benagaria. From childhood her heart had been filled with many thoughts and questions: Who made heaven and earth? Who created man? From where do we come? Whither do we go? Her non-chri~tian relatives, not knowing what to answer, w-ould scold her for such "silly" questions. Among the Christians and from the Gospel she received the knowledge she sought for. Soon she was admitted by baptism into the community of Saints. In Benagaria Girls' school she received the best education available at the time' and from then on became Mrs. Borresen's best helper in the scnool, in the home, in the congregation and everywhere uutil Mrs. Borresen's death in Mother Anpi. as she was called for many years, had a. big loving heart and was a true and burning witness for her Lord. N ow a. blessed death has brought her

43 36 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. fa.ce to face with Him in" glory. :mven in old age she would walk around in the villages, stick in hand, visiting Christians, and pleading with non-christians to make use of the grace of God. She used much time in prayer and would name one after the other before the Lord, missionaries and missionary children as well as Indian Christians. During her last two years she had light strokes two, three times from which she partly recovered. But she became weak and had to sta.y in bed the last three, four months. Little by little her thoughts and interel'its would leave out ohe item after the other, with the exception of God and -.His Word from which she drew great strength and comfort. It was always a joy to visit her and see how she brightened up by Christian hymns, prayer and the Word of God. At her burial Pastor Lodo Soren read Rev:- 3, 4 "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis w hieh have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in whi~e. For they are worthy." Probably all present felt that these words could hardly be applied more rightly to any Christian than to Mother Anpi. She left behind only two grand children, one boy now in Kaerabani High School and a smaller girl who stays with the pastor's family at Benagaria. SCHOOLS: We still" look upon the primary VILLAGE SCHOOLS as very important in our mission work. But weare" far from satisfied with their present progress and condition. Still we are grateful for what is being. done. During the year 9 village schools were working with 10 teachers, and 173 pupils. 140 appeared for examination and 122 passed. The UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL for boys and girlr at Bena~aria has worked well. There are 7,teachers on the """""".

44 SEVENTY-SEVE~TH '~ r ANNUAL R1!PORT. 37 staff. Enrolled, 148 pupils. 145 appeared for examination; 114 passed. Weare thankful for a grant of Rs. 60/- per month from the District Board. The INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL has worked' under very hard conditions. In the Weaving section we have had a big sale and, even bigger demand for cloth. But the price of yarn has been prohibitive and weavers could get much better pay as coolie workers at aerodromes etc. Still we have been permitted to carryon and hope to do so in the new year. The students of the Carpentry section were engaged in building work on an aerodrome. This gave us a good income and allowed us to pay higher stipends than we could have done without this work. The number of students are fewer than before. But even at the beginiug of the new year wilen this report is being written a number of new boys have been admitted, and we intend to carryon. We tender our thanks to the Government for an annual grant of Rs. 2800/-, and to the District Board for a monthly grant of Rs. 8/- towards an evening school. THE PRINTING PRESS & BOOKSALES DEPARTMENT. The manager, Mr., K. R. Ghose, submits the' follqwing report :- "Compared to what we were able to accomplish in previ,ous years the PRINTING PRESS has had a somewhat slack yea.r although we have had work enough to keep our staff engaged the full- time. The help given by the Mission in paying dearness allowance to the press staff also has enabled us to meet our expenses of' increased wages etc., for which we record our hearty appreciation and gratitude. The two periodicals, " Pera. Hor " in San tali and "Bongo-Bondhu" in' Bengali, have been regularly published ~nd a number of smaller works for missions and ill-

45 38 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN 'OHUROHES. dividuals have also been done. Owing to increased difficulties of obtaining paper, only a few very needed books were printed for the two literature coillmittees with the left-over stock of paper purchased during These consisted mostly of reprint impressions of a few urgently needed publications, the stock of which had exhausted. With the necessary paper supplied to us, the printing of the second volume of a work on "Santal Folksongs" edited by W. J. Archer, Esqr., I. C. S. was completed and also two smaller publications were.printed for the Santa I Education Committee. It was due largely to th~ recommendation of Mr. Archer, the Deputy Commissioner of. Santal Parganas, that we were able to secure a quantity of paper at Government-controlled rate towards the end of the year for printing one or two important educational publications in the new year. It seems that paper at Government-controlled rate cannot be obtained at present for any other purpose except for the most needed and approved educational publications. The BOOK-SALES dept. has done fairly well, as usual, with plenty of orders from missions and individuals. In addition, orders for books and literature from Santals servo ing in the different military units in this country and even overseas have been on the increase, and it was a source of joy to us to be "able to serve them to the best of our ability. In this respect the Book-Sales dept would seem to fill a great need in the life of our boys away from their homes by providing them with suitable Chris tian literature for recreation of their mind and soul. Besides the reprint editions of exhausted books, only one new publication was added to onr stock during the year. A new revised Catalogue of Books is under preparation and will be published shortly in the new year. The usu~l 8rant of Rs. 1000/- from the Mission was received,

46 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 39 and the accounts were closed with a balance of Rs 82~/-. For a detailed statement of accounts vide Account Appendices. h ZEMINDARY. The Zemindary collections and work have gone on as usual. Government expropriation fee of some land at Belbuni amo~rited to Rs to come in as extra income in Under the heading "Indian Horne Mission Zemindary Estate" a detailed account will be found of collections and expenditures. * * * * In closing we send our heartiest greetings and thanks to all friends who have remembered the work and us in prayer and supplication, as well as with their donations for the Lord's work. LOLLY & K. TROMBORG. BENAGARIA CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL. The year 1943, will be remembered as the fa'mine year in. Bengal. As this part of Santal Parganas lies very close to Bengal, the border being 6 miles a way on one' side and only 2 miles on the other, it follows that the hunger situation also to a great extent affected us here. although not nearly in the degree that it was felt in the severely stricken areas of Bengal. The scarcity of rice was evident already in tho hot season, April-May-June, with the result that more than the usual number of patients had to be given food. So when we came to the end of August our year's supply of rice was exhausted and we had to look around to find some substitutes, such as wheat and mabie, and to buy

47 40 THE SANTAL MISsioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. more rice at exborbitant prices. This we were able to obtain, and also the money to pay for it, and so were able to carryon until the new harvest began to come in. The real starvation cases, (called sick-destitutes in the Calcutta area), did not begin to appear until about the middle of August. From then on quite a number came. singly or in families, emaciated, yet with swollen limbs and body. listless and devoid of strength and any power of recuperation. Most of them suffered from some con current di~ease. such as dysentery and tuberculosis, those two being the most frequently encountered. so it was often difficult to tell which was the more important cause of their condition, the disease or starvation. The death rate among these patients was very high. Most of them could not tolerate any solid food but had to be started on liquids and their diet gradually increased, but even with the utmost care ma.ny of them died. If we could have given them more strength-giving foods, such as milk, eggs, malted' milk and meat soups we probably could have saved more than we did, but with the exception of small amounts of milk, we could obtain none of these things but had to rely on rice and barley gruel, suji and ric~ porridge. The number of starvation cases admitted from the middle of August to the middle, of, November, when they practically ceased comin'g, is esti mated at about 50. Deaths among tbese numbered about 18. Only those who were a.ctually ill were admitted to the hospital. Others were given food and sent on their way, as it would have been impossible to find room for all those who I would like to remain. The hospital work was ca.rried on about as usual during the year, the incidence of diseases being nearly the Sdorne as other years. Malaria cases numbered 10,265 in the out-patient departroent. Treatment of this disease presellted a. grave problem during the first part of the

48 SEV~NTY-SEvENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 41 year due to the small amount of quinine released by Government. In order to have something with which t~ treat these patients we bought up quite a number of pounds from private dealers,. but had to pay extremely high prices for it. Therefore we were very happy when in December we received 40 lbs. from Government at reasonable prices. so that now we can give out freely to those who need it. The leper clinic has been well attended, the number of treatments given during the year being 2,959. Statistics for the year are as follows: Out-patients 30,963. In-patients, 1,372. Major operations Confinements: (including eye cases) 366 Normal Minor operations 1155 {EclampSia Abnormal Cresarian sec. Others F Total 1521 Total MAJOR OPERATIONS : I. Eye operations: Cataract 123 Others 33 II. Glandular and New Growths 11 III. Bones & Joints 13 IV. Abdominal 7 V. On rectum 6 VI. Plastic 6 VII. Miscellaneous a. I nguinal hernia 14 b. Hydrocele, eversion sac 78 Do excision sac 7 c. Amputation filarial tissue 4 d. Orchidectomy 17 e. Others 5 VIII. Gynecological & Obs,

49 , 4:2 THE SAN'l'.A.~ MlSSION. Oi' TB~ NORTHEItN CHURCHES. LQ.telY we have been gre~tly ha.ndic~pped in performillg the larger operations beca, use of lack of proper anesthetic. Ether is practically unavailabl~, and so 'is the right kind of spinal anesthesh. ~o we are limited to ohloroform, novocaine and a not too reliable spinal.- The Evangelistic work at the hospital was oonducted in a somewhat different way from the routine of previous years. The women nurses, with the help of Miss Krohn and Mrs. Ostergaard, had for some time been having meetings with the women patients in the afternoons and it had long been my ho.pethat the IIlale nurses and other workers would regularly preach in the men's wards in the same manner, but it seemed difficult to get it started. This year, through the help of Dr. Bose, who was with us for a few IIlonths, we at last made a beginning. So now each afternoon, with the exception of ma.rket days. from 2 to 4 of the Santali and Bengali workers in turn come and preach the Gospel to the patients and converse with them about -the way to sal. vation. We feel that this is merely a beginning and should be developed further. Ward preaching is not compulsory, a.nd some of the workers feel that they are- not a.ble to do it. However, many of them have been quite faithful in taking their turn and as a rule have an attentive audience to talk to. We pray that these efforts may continue and come to bear much fruit. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Bihar Government for t.he fohow-ing gifts during the year: &s. 4,000/- for ma.intenance; For the Leper Clinic Rs. 270/ from the. Biha.r Leprosy Re:ief Committee, and later &so 75/- for the same purpose from,the office of the Inspector General of Civil Hospitals, and for issuing quinine to ""s ~t ~dera.te :prices. Also to the Oiv.i1 Surgeon, Suri,

50 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT for the gift, from local resources, of one pound quinine sulphate. Most of all we offer our heartfelt thanks to God for giving us health and strength and a faithful group of co-workers so again, in a difficult year, His work in the ministry of healing ha.s been kept going. Ma.y it be to His Glory! E. OSTERGAARD.

51 .' l '",I -.\ WORK IN BENGAL NARAINPUR BENGALI WORK. We are very thankful to God that it has been possible, in spite of great difficulties, to carryon the work during 1943 also. Many of our Christians have gone through a fire of tribulation caused by famine, diseases and general breakdown of health. We have therefore often felt the acute need of strengthening them and exhorting them to have faith in God, in spite of all. But the genera] weakness and illness of many of the preachers and pastors has made pastoral care, espectally of Christians living in out of the way places, very difficult. Many Christians have gone a way to earn their living at airfields and other places where new construction is going on and where, sorry to say, the life has proved.to be connected with great temptations. For a few months Rev. l3. K. Dutta, was released for work among these Christians, and he tried to gather as many as possible for Church Services and prayer. We thank God for all those who remained firm when the wave of immorality came. In different local congr~gations Bible courses and conventions have been held also this year. Especially may the Bible week in Benagaria and the refresher cour.se for pastors and preachers in Narainpur be mentioned. God spoke to ma.ny of us through the ministry of Mr. S. K. Mondol from Calcutta. May the spirit of awakening a.nd deepening of the spiritual life continue to follow his ministry in the future. The evangelistic work has been carried on as usual and the response to the Evangel has been encouraging.

52 SEVENTY-SEVENrH ANNUAL REPORT. 45 Thus the rise of.ohristianity among the Muchis of Muraroihas increased this year. The old obstinate opposition, originally created by the Hindu Mission, seems to have decreased considera bly. A deep and widespread movement is going on underground, and many Muchis are now coming forth confesing Christ publicly. The movement among the Mal~lis is also continuing satisfactorily. Many of them are becoming Christians and even greater ingathering may be expected from this tribe in the future. The workers are about the same as before, but more worker,} are needed to teach new Christians and follow the mo~~ejl1ents into new villages where pople are waiting for instruction and baptism.., The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. '0 The baptism!:i of the year are as follows: Congregations From heatlzm Children of Ckr;slitJns Muraroi 35 1 Rampurhat 1 1 Narainpur 0 0 Benagaria 8 4 Latakandar 1 1 Baniapasar 22 3 Saldoha 18 0 Karmataur 10 1 Mohulbona 12 0 Tilabani 16 1 Total 1~3 12 The centre of the field seems to be moving towards the west. About 84% of those who have become Christians during the last 4 years a.re from Santal Parganas where n9w th,e majority of our Christia.ns are living.

53 46: THE SANTAL 'MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Becau.se of very long distances and difficulties. of transportation, it is almost impossible to continue to do th~' increasing district work satisfactorily from an outof--the-way pl~ceasn arainpur. We are therefore very thankfril to the Conference for having allowed us to stay temporarily in Mohulpahari, from where our congregations c~n. ~e reached more easily We would also like to welcome Miss 1. Malmstrom who bas taken over the Girls' School in Narainpur. This school has now opened class VI and 2.girls apj;leared for M. E. and 1 girl for M, V. examination this year. The results are not yet known. 4 girls appeared for Primary Final examination, and they all passed in 1st division. 'J The.two new teachers Miss S. Dass and Miss S. Mitra a.re efficient teachers interested in the progress of the school and the spiritual welfare of.the girls. We tender our thanks to Government, District Board & Mohespur Raj Estate for gra.nts received for the school. With hearty thanks to all friends who remember also this part of ~he field in their prayer.. SOLVEIG & SIGFRED JOHANSEN. WORK AT SURI. The fol!9wing report has come from the Secretary of the Suri Congregationa.l Church :-.. In cummencing to write a report of the WOl'k a.t SUrl one is' grieveously reminded of the terrible BufferingR which th~ people of this area. have gone through with famine, starvati<?n~ disease and death and against wllich

54 the surviving population is yet stfuggling for thai:r existence. Naturally one wonders if.and ever better,times will prevail 1 No one would dispute the tact that such a time of calamity puts a serious.setback bn almost au our efforts, even the humblest efforts for th'e cause of the Kingdom of God., It is,. however. with a thankful heart we' say tha.t since our affiliation with the Lutheran Church of Birbbum. there has been continued progress from year to year in the life of our little congregation here at Suri. Sunday services have been regularly held with good attendance' on the average. Our beloved visiting pastor, Rev. S. Johansen, has kept up his monthly visits to us regularly in ~pite of the many difficulties and hardships of travelling. His ministrations of. love and service for us have been very helpful and edifying. On special occasions the Church h3.s been full and it was a great joy to see our Christians of different denominations come together in common fellowship and unity of spirit at the Lord's Table to p30rtake of the Sacraments. This, indeed, marks a big step towards a strong and united Church at Suri in the not~very-distant future. During the year 2 young ladies from Christian homes have been baptized by Rev. Johansen and received into' our fold. May the ~ord protect and keep these new ones is the &incere prayer of our heart I A few 'of our young people were also instructed for confirmation. The' total number of Christians who worship at the 8uri church, is 80. Besides these some 20 Christians live 'in the villages around.'."' Suri. The 8 unday school for our children has had some slack periods during the year, but we are happy to see MisN S. N ath, B, A. using her time and E-.nergy again to r~v~ve the work with ~ea.l a,ud interest, 47

55 48 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. It 'is with a very sad and grieveou8 heart we have to record here the untimely death of three persons in the family' of one of our leading members from a sporadic but virulent,attack of. typhoid, Three others of the same family are still down 'with the malady, but we are hoping that they will recover and be spared their live!i1. It has indeed been a time of great trial for this- family and our heartiest sympathy and condolence go out to them. We ask you allr to remember this family in your praye.rs. A few words about the work among non-christians will not be out of place, although very little bas yet been done in this dil'ection. To cope with the very d~stressing situation in this district some relief organisations sprang up and a lot of rescue and relief work was done with funds raised by Hindus and Mohammedans for the innumerable destitutes. The undersigned, as a member of one of these Relief organizatio.nr, succeeded in negotiating for relief with food, medicine and clothes worth nearly &:s. 2,500,: to one our two of our Mission centres in the district. These were placed mostly at the disposal of Rev. Johansen and Dr. Ostergaard for distribution in their respective areas. Compared to all the distress and sufferings of the people this help may have meant relief to a very small degree, but the fact of being associated with such work of love and service for the suffering humanity has offered our friends, particularly Rev. Johansen, opportunities of.being acquainted with and' appreciated by noo Christians in general. A door into the heargs of the people seems to have opened with greater possibilities of reaching them with the Gospel. We hope to Bee good results from this work that we have been privileged to do. -The need of a whole-time pastor and evangelist for this part of the district has been more and more keenly felt~ and it was indeed a direct answer to our earnest prayer when the' Church Council, at its last meeting in

56 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAt.REPORT deoided to plaoo Rev.. Bosonto Dutt at Suri from the beginning of the new year, As has been said before, 8. large.' number of ChriRtlans live scattered in the villages in the interior of this district The shepherding and caring of these has long bebn neglected Therefore, a very extensive and strenuous work awai.t"! Rev. Dutt. We ate glad to say that while thi.s report' is being written Rev. Dutt is assuming hi~ responsibilities and is trying to engage himself ardently in some of the duties before' him.. May the Lord blesr;; him and his work amongst u~ for the glory of God "1" Sd/- M~ NATH. NIMASARAI ( MALDA ) BENGALI WORK will long be remembered in Bengal as a year w hen many thousands died in this province from famine a.nd cholera. By the end of the year things have im.. proved considerably. The rice harvest is good almost evel'yw here. An exception is the central' part of MaIda distriqt. Hel'e we ha ve had too little rain now for four consecutive years. Illness, want and death contributed to hampering the activity of our mission workers during the yea.r, so less was done than usual. Not a faw of the Christians were compelled to go elsewhere in search of some means of livelihood. And quite a number have died during the yea,r. Some of the primitive church buildings fell down or cam e very near to it, beca use the congregations were unable to repair them. Rue/, DIu moved to Bolrampur in Pumea District but had to contend with disease in his family the whole year, so the work there has been rather at a standstill, if not worse. In his place Horipodo Prosad was placed at Potra for a. year, a.fter which he was to ha. ve ta,ken up G

57 50 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHUROHES. his post at English Bazar. A few months later first his elder son and then he himself were attacked by typhoid and both died. After that the pensioned old Pastor Har" Banjuria was asked to look after the work th:ere for a time. By the end of the rainy season he also died. Towards the end of the year our teacher and overseer at Nimasarai, John K1ipanath Sarkar, suddenly died. Some may remember him as one of the first faithful helpers of Eli Bogh during the first years at Saldoha. He had been with us since we built our new house here at Nimasarai. We will miss him sadly and the others, too. And our lack of workers is now even more serious than before. The younger men have continued their education. One 'of them, Horku or Hukia Horolmath Pramanik passed the last of the examinations we demand from our evangelist~, the first man in MaIda to accomplish this feat. With the limitations hinted at above the work has been proceeding as before, slowly. and lowly indeed, but nowhere has it been discontinue(l entirely. We liad during the year 45 baptisms in all among Bengali speaking people. Of these 10 were the children of Christians, 2 came froid a kind of Muslim sect and 33 from the Hindu' community, most of ~hem being of the primitive Paharias. Qne small church building was dedicated, namely a.t Bolrampur on the , used both for Santals. and Bengalis. The boys' hostel at Nimasarai-like the other two boys' hostels for Santal boys we have in North Bengalgradually very nearly ceased to function as the parents had to take their boys home, being unable to supply food for them. We hope some of the boys are able to come back in the new year. The missionary conference, just before the end of the year, treprnsfer:req Miss I~ Mahnl;ltrolD awar from M~ld.

58 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 51 That means a serious loss to the Bengali work here, until some other lady missionary can come and work among the Bengali women here. As in previous years I have spent part of my time in now and then looking after the work of the seven Santal pas'tors and their helpers in the North Bengal Districts, and also in an occasional visit to Cooch Behar. H. P. H. KAMPP. EKLAKHI GIRLS' SCHOOL. It is known all over the world that the year 1943 was a year of famine, starvation and sickness in the province of Bengal. Though none died of starvation in this district many got too little food, or poor food, and had no resistance to fight against cholera and malaria when epidemics swept over the country. We felt the difficulties here also, but learnt in a new way to trust in God as our Father, and His words in Exodus 23, 25 were as if spoken to us: "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and I shall bless thy bread and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.' ' At the most critical time, when prices went up and everybody was anxious about the future, came Mr. S. K. Mondol from the Children's Special Service for a ten days' mission and talked so simply and earnestly about Christianity. He became of great help to the children, teachers and the people in the compound and m,any decided to follow Jesus Christ. The songs he taught are sung every week at the children's special meeting in the prayer house. In the first part of the year there were 52 children in the school, of these 12 were day scholars and 40

59 52~~ THE SAN TAL MIssioN oli THE NORTHERN C:l::rirnCHES. boa. Tders. As before it was difficult to get a trained teachel" to come to' this out-of-the-way place, but Lilly Paul.from Coach-Behar came and did fa.ithful work for the whole year. For some time we thought about closing the s~hool because of food shortage, but found it was better only' to send 9 girls home. mostly small ones and a few bigger, who could get better food in their homes. Those who remained learned to appreciate food they never ha.d been used to before, as whole wheat and atta. No one complained but they daily thanked God for His care' and love. The four teachel"s ha ve worked hard and faithfully and have given much special tutoring to the four girls who went in for the Government scholarship examination a.nd pa&sed. This. year a practical class was started for two Bengali girls and they were instructed also for confirmation by' Miss Malmstrom. After the rainy season vacation the children came back and the average number in the school was 51. Three fierce storms did much damage to the houses, but through storms and famine God has talked to us,.. nd we thank Him' for "He is good and His mercy eddm-eth for ever" ENROLLMENT Class IV Class III Cla.ss II Class I Total No. of children 51. ERIKA LOWE.

60 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 58 S.A.NTAL WORK IN THE DISTRICTS OF DINAJPUR, MALDA, RAJSHAHI, PURNEA, BOGRA. RANGPUR. In spite of the big area the Santals have been Bcattered over, wherever they go they instinctively try to stick together in separate villages or separa.te hamlets inside villages with old and settled populati:an. 'That means that the Santals up to now remain.. ery much Santals even in their scattered condition. Bengal went through a yea!' of severe hardship in 1943, and no doubt the Santal' immigrant population suffered with the rest. The total reported deaths appear. ing on the Church Returns for 1941 were 30, 'in , and in In BARIN pastor Budhrai Hasdak' has continu~d to lead the 9 village congregations, having Badh~jr as his centre of work. The past year saw no great' aav~~cet and his flock appears to be far behind in giv~ng offering to the Lord's work. In SIKARPUR the Khoribari centre has been withput a. pastor, but a young man trained at our SantalDivinLti:r School, Jonas Hasdak" -has been in charge. Th~ un. printed part of the Congregational Returns shows tha.~ 33 excommunicated persons had repented and been accepted as church Illembers again: In P ANDUA BIR the Eklakhi station is gradually growing in importance for our whole work in North Bengal Pastor Suphol Hem brom was stationed there a.nd attended to several villagecong1"eg&ii911s, and also visited the Khoribari area. On the :N'orth side of Ma;1da t P-a:stot"Gulll Murmu u's been et&tioned at POTRA in cha1'ge' Qf 10 \tina~

61 54 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. congregations.,work appe.ars to have been going on quietly and there is not much to report, except that at the close of the year they were preparing to receive the' 'Helmel Babha' for North Bengal in this place. is some 20 miles on the north side of ~AUTNAGAR the rai~way line. Pastor Mongol Kisku has been in charge here but was full of worry when he sent the statistics for.the year. In a way there are 6 village congregations, one of which is inside Purnea, and one which consists only of Paharias. At PHORIDPUR Pastor Modhusudon Kisku has of late tried to be energetic and visited the few congregations. The congregational Returns show creditable improvement. Even two Sunday Schools ha ve been started, and' the collections for the Lord's work among a small Christian community of 284 has reached &s At NARAYANPUR, the old CRATAI centre,. Pastor Simeon Murmu continued to be in charge but partly due to local difficulties, and partly because he soon will reach retiring age, he has asked to be transferred to "Khoribari where he' has house and land close by the station. The Church Council has accepted this, and appointed Pastor Sup hoi Hembrom to succeed him in this place. Apart from the central congregation there are 11 more village congregations to shepherd. J. G;AUSDAL. COOCH BEHAR. "Jesus C/z."ist tke same,estef'da" today and [Of" eve#'. Hew. 13,' 8.,; We ate glad to begin the report with these words ~cause they mean so Illuch to us. During the,past yea.r

62 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 55 much has changed but not Jesus Christ. There has been an interchanging of sorrow, joy, success, disappointment etc.' but He has been the same and has never failed to help us. Praise be to His holy name I The work amongst the Bengalis, Garos and Boro's has continued as before, but not without some difficulties. The annual "mela " here in C. B. where we used to sell hundreds of Gospels r was cancelled this year due to much sickness amongst the population. Due to the same the work in the ~illages has been very difficult, too. Amongst the Christians we have,had several cases,of smallpox and one case of cholera. Many have, suffe'red from hard attacks of fever. Sickness and the difficulty in getting sufficient food and clothing has, it seems to us, hindered the spiritual development in the Congregation. Nearly every evening the Church bell has called--jor prayer but very few have given response to the cn.ll. We are praying very much for a revival amongst the Christia.ns here. Our evangelist amongst the Garos has been very eager in preaching the Good Tidings to his own people. Though very few were baptised this year we expect many to come forward soon. The people in the Colony had a hard time in the beginning of the year owing to poverty. Most of them had to live on jungle potatoes. But even the Hindus around were Burprised to see how God was upholding them. At the.end of the year He also gave them a very good harvest. Many Don-Chrisian pupils have been admitted in the school lately. Our Boro Congregation moved to a new place in the beginning of the year. They now live closer to the main road and it is more convenient for us to go there.' They built a church and a school with their own money' and' also partly suppo rt a Biblewoman. The Congregation BeemB to be growing.

63 Ie 'l'he SAl.t'rAi: lussion OF rim NOR'l'HERNOmTROHES.,. Durimg the: }'leu we had ;two Bible-courses.' for our workers ando.neror' worn-en. In Nov. we had again Mr. S. K. <Mandai.from. Calcutta hare to conduct Bible studies and give lectures.. Wfs were. all richlyblesse«.~during his stay. s.: -,.;. c,;~ ~ i,. It was 'B.. 'great, lnss for the High Sehool a.s well as for the: Mission"when in'august our Headmaster left us to go :to'; _B~nkura for OoHega work. We had appreoia.ted his,service.. vary! mach.. Being the secretary of our C. C. hega.ve ifurch. of his.' time and interest to Congregational wor-k..at J SBveral occa.sio.nshe. conducted the English SeiNJice for the Ellropeans then staying inc. B. We ha.ve the joy of.ha.ving severa.l Chris tia.n students from pth8l' Missiomi, mostly Borosa.nd Sa.ntals. They attended the; ;~h. ser vices and took acti va pa.rt by their nice sirigihgi.j;.' ST,!.TISTICS : -S.;. f~,! Total Christians 330. Baptism: Christians' children 20 Hea.thens 17 Marriage 4.. ". :High-school 1, Teaehers 19, Students 480,I Primartschools- 8, Pupils 170.',. Teachers 7. Mistresses 2 10 J~!,k ~;[1 ; n: E.' PIHLQUIST. S. MAR'fENSON.

64 WORK IN ASSAM SANTAL COLONY'. We are thankful to God that we have been able to carry nn the work in the Santal Colony during the past year. There have been many opportunities a'nd the work has not been without its encouragement's. There have. however, also been many anxieties, and with the Apostle we can say: "the adversaries are many". Though the door has been open for the spreading of the Good Ti.dings, we have perhaps realized' more than ever that our fight in this battle is "not against flesh and blood, but a'gainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world h. How we need to heed the Apostle's warning and put on the whole armour of God! In the congregational work one change occured among the pasto:rs. Pastor Jam es Soren moved to J oema and Pastor Peter Hembrom took his place at Rantzaupur. The other Pastors have served in their respecti~e congregations as last reported. Church attendance has on the average been quite good, but there is room for much impr.:>vemente We notice that those "Who are irregular at church services and devotional meetings are usually the ones who easily fall for temptation. A rather severe epidemic of Cholera. swept through the Colony during July and August. It was difficult to obtain anti-cholera vaccine but injections were given to people in the most affected village~, although in some Cases rather late. Many deaths occured and this gave opportunity to quacks, who came in and swindled many of the innocent and ignorant people of rather large sums of of money. Tn some villages charms were sold, and in others the people were persuaded to take part in some sort of sacrificia.l worship in order to drive away the H

65 58 THE sa.lii'tal MffiSIOttOF THEl NORTHERN CHURCHES. Evil Spirits, or stop the "Wind of Trouble ". We were away from the District while these visitors were about, but latter we 'gathered the people to discuss the matter. While such happenin~s- -are- 'disc611'ra'gii1g and sad, we are glad that most of the Christians who "bad been led astray canie to realize the }Vrong and were willing to make confession and ask forgiveness. The.Assam Oonvention was' held in J oies-ori in' the Joema District. Many of our Colony people' attended. We returned from the Convention fe~lirig we had been benefitted by the many helpful and Spirit-"filled messages from God's W. ord; I The' three-day meeting for women held at Hartiputa iii MaTch was: very well attended, and reports froni the meetings have been encouraging. From the 1st to the 15th N oveiilber" a Bible course wits conducted here at Grahampur. Rev. A. E; Strollstad alid Pastor Kalu Kisku of the Divinity School' at' Chonnnipurac6nducted the course. Mission workers and others from Saritipara, Darrang, J oema, Mornai and the Colony attended. We were happy that a number of women also attended. The Lo'rd used His servants to bring forth hidden trea:sutes from His Word. One's personal relation and fellowship with God was strongly stressed and the need of repentance and rededication among the children of God. We are thankful that these friends could be with us and we are sure many were greatly benefitted and re'ceived new vision of the riches of His Word. According to reports from the -Colony Congregations, 3t souls from the non-christian community were baptized during the year. Of these 26 were baptized in Haraputa. 6~: in Rantza uput and 2 in Grahampur. 211 children of Christian parents were baptized. 99 young people were c6nfirm'ed. 425 children were entolled in Sunday Schools,

66 with 16 teachers in charge. Friday meetings for women have been oonducted in many villag.es, although not in all. Collections at women's meetings were as follows: Harappta Rs. 185/-; Bilanpur*' Rs.. 60/8; Rantzaupur Rs.94/12/3; Grahampur Rs. 269/9/3 making a.totaldf.rs.609/13/6. Total Contributions in each QongregatiC;>D were: Haraput~ Rs. 969/8/6; Bilanpur Rs.4;24/11/6; R~ntz~upur Rs. 41.2/5/3; Grahampur R.s~ 855/5/-. Total for the ColDny: Rs. 2662/14/3. In the M. E. Boys" School the enrollment increased,to 134. The teaching staff remained the same with the exception of Mohes Murmu who served temporarily while Sukumar Tudu attena.ed Training School. 7 boys appeared in the M. E. examination at the end of passed, We again want to express our appreciation to the Government of Assam for regular and special war time grant-in-aid for our schools. ',249 children were.enrolled in village schools. We were unable to open any new schools during the year. We have received regular grant-in-aid for five village 8chools from the Local Board, Dhubri. We a.re.grateful for this aid. A special grant towards dearness allowance for the teachers has also been sanctioned hut.was not r:eceived by the' close of the year. OompoundAl" Benjamin Hembrom has done good work in the Dispensary. TowardR the end of the yeax the stock of medicine had run low, and it has been difficult to obtain medicines due to restrictions in transportation. We hope to have new supplies before long patients were treated.,in closing we extend our greetings and thanks, to "all f:.;iellds and supporters for prayers and gifts. We shall value your c~ntinued prayer for th;8 work. HAZEL. & _ql~ _ BJ~RKES~~ND.

67 60 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. HARAPUTA GIRLS' M. E. SCHOOL. "It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answel"; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa 65, 24. Here at Haraputa we have experienced the truth of that Word this year more than ever before. As in' all other institutions there have been great difficulties caused by the war situation. Getting sufficient school material, food, kero'sine on, firewood etc. has been a very great problem. In order to keep the expenditure on a normal level in spite of the rising prices of all necessities we have tried to make the pared ts bring' the rice for their girls. Then we supplement it with wheat and soya beans so they can get the right kind of food. But it is not easy to make the,parents understand that they have to bring the rice on time. After the vacation when the paddy I had bought at the beginning of the year was finished and we had to depend more on what the children brought, I had some anxious times every week when they all carne to get food from the godown. Would we have enough for the coming week? And if not, where could I get some? One Thursday I had rice left for only 11. couple of days. I went to the village headman to ask him if he could 'Pro~ure some paddy at the Government controlled price. He OIl:mld not encourage me, as he knew that the people could sell at a much higher price in the market, but he promised' to try anyway. I went home and sat down to think over the situation and also to pray that God might show m.e a way to get what was needed. While I was sitting there, a young man came up to the veranda.. I asked him' what he wanted. "I am bringing some rice for my sister4" We ha.d brought 85 seers, rice for a couple of days Plore for the 'boarding, A few minutes later a mother

68 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 61 came with, 15 seers. And in the evening the pastor and the headman came with 3 of the wealthiest Santals in the village to tell me that they were willing to sell as much paddy as I needed at controlled price. I learnt something from that ex};)erience. and I believe that the children did. too. And so the work has been going on, in spite of difficulties and certain disappointments. VYe have appointed two new teachers on the staff, Mis8 Indira Marak and Miss Manjhan Murmu. At the end of the year Miss Maloti Hasdak' left us to marry the compounder in Grahampur. She has been a very faithful worker the nearly 4 years she has been here, and we wish her all happiness in her new place. The number of students has decreased slightly. We had 127 on the roll, and the total number of boarders was 96.. At the Middle EngliRh examination the results were poor in spite of hard work on the part of both teachers and students. At' the Primary examination 5 girls out of 6 passed. The needle work examinations were passed with honours by all candidates. The children's health has been exceptionally good, probably due to the improved diet they have had this year. Regarding the work in the congregation, the teachers and pupils have ma.de their contribution by taking Sunday School in 5 villa.ges every Sunday morning. In the confirmation class for girls, about 40 attended every week; 38 girls were confirmed. The Friday meetings for women here in the compound have not been very well attended by the village women, but tho!!;e from the compound have been faithful. In closing, I want to thank all friends for their support. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Eccl. 11 SOLVEIG SOMMING.

69 rg.'2 THE SANTAL.YISSION()F T:aE :~QJtTll~RN.,J(?1:jURCHES. H4RAPUTA ' EDIC:4.L,WORK. " We ca'nnot exactly say that our work go.es on as.. usual,. but it does go on. We use much time and.energy trying to get the medicines and other things with w.hich to work. It is disheartening at times to have to turn 'sick ~people' away because we cannot give them the necessary med\cine. The number of pati~nts we have cared for would have been mu~h greater if this had not been necessary.,;it.is 'rather difficult to,do medical wo,rk,in. a district ; where malaria in its worst form is end~mic and then,can.get neithe!" quinine n~r at~brin. Such a,re the condi,tiona,.apd we hav.e to rely on :faith mqre than medicine many times to help these sick 'people. There has been another problem this y.ear. Although we do not hav~ famine in the sense,that they havehad! it in other places, we do see the,effects of deficient '. diet s. People here for the most part ha ve rice enongh. But if they eat nothing else they get deficiency disea.ses., Anq we 6eemany :of these anemic and edematous.. people, daily. If, theycan get plenty of daland greens for.-i)urry tmy.fdo alright. B;ut ifth.ey don't.grow them,t~ma~lj{es it ishatd ~s Pfi~eB 'Q,re.so 'h.~gh. Now:,on. ~-CCO\1nt 'of so:much malnutrition we have mq~h ~ of.dy '.,8ftieriea. p,nd sgabies, among :other ; things. I pave :1l6v;er seen scabies so widespread, not only sp~-ead.ov~r the _r~le bo,dy 'of reaoh ;person,,but over,every.;person,in the ~.fair~ly,~d. : the ;will~ge. Th~y get medicine for it.,it clear,s up, :io,.~r~~urn in a month or two. ~pi6.may;.be "_!d.ue.1\qt ;O:p~Y. to the malnutrition but also,to the fact,jijjp,t.. _.!l0ap )s,so ~xpe.i;lsive rphat. t~~y cannot aff<?rd to keep theniselv~ o~.,t4eh, clo~hes.. c~ea~.,':'1mtj.lti,a. 4as,.b.~n the worst offender, as it usually is. Then next comes scabies,.. -4Qen.. dysentery. We have also

70 had an epidemic of Cholera in the district this year. But it had not come into: the' school or station. 01lt"-"two out-patient treatment stations - for lepel's:; are still-opera.ting. Sometimes the pa-tients come quite regularly; <>ther -times they slack off when it rains oris real cold. Petrol sho1"tage has made vjllage calls rather diffic.ult. The- nu-mber- of out-patients was 12,500. Of these about 50% were Mohammedans, 20% Christi~ns, 15% N on Christians, 15-% Hindus. Our staff is the same as last year. Our- women's work in the congregation goes on as u-sua-l. The Bible- women gather once a month. These meetings are a help and an inspiration for them-. T hen we had a three day meeting for the 'women again this year. It was also very well attended-; We' noticed that the women had more courage abctut getting up to speak and- they seemed to" feel their responsibilities as Christians more than formerly. This was very encouraging for us. We hope we can- continue these, meetings. Sometimes when we 'feel that the work goes so slow I remember what David said- to his son: 'He will notfail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast lfinished all the work for the service for the house of the Lord.' 10hron. 28; 20. This gives us courage and we are thankful for the pr~vilege of working here. We are cer-' talnly thankful to all who have made it p,ossible fo"rus.. to continue the work in these days. DAGMAR PEDERSEN.

71 84: THE SANTAL. MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. JOEMA. "Blessed he the God and Fatne,. of mercies and God of all comf01't who comfortetk 'lis in all our af/hction, tkat we ma')! he able to comfort.them that are in an')! affliction, "" tlze comfort wne,.ewitk we ourselves are cm;nforted of God." 2 Cor. 1,' 5-4. This year I must write the report of the work alone. The year that began with such hope and promise has ended with grea.t sorrow, because of t~e death of my husband. We a.ll miss him so much. He wrote this passage in my bible, "And we know all things work together for' good to them that love God-to them that are called of bis purpose." Rom. 8, 28. La!!t February a Sabha was held in Bahre Hasa at Jolesori. 'It was well attended in spite of,rain. The Santals made most of the arrangements and proved that they can do much if given the opportunity and responsibility. We have just received word that the Santals in Darrang have obtained their land, which was to be given to the Nepalese for grazing; so they will not be required to move, for which we are thankful. Another congregation, Amjuli in Darrang, has begun with about twenty-eight Christians who wish to build a Church in which to worsh,ip. During the rains, many Darrang Christians died from Cholera. After the elders meeting this year my husband said, "It has been interesting to watch the elders through the years. Some may not have grown much but all have grown." Two of our elders in Darrang hav~ died:. Samu arndi from Sapkata and the elder from Khay~rbani.

72 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 Chaitan Soren was gi ven leave to arrange for his marriage and has not returned. We still hope he will for he is sorely needed.. The past year James Soren was pastor in Joema, Rube,n Murmu in Darrang, and Paul Murmu in Sohorpur~ Due to the illness of his wife, Ruben Pastor will remain in Jolesori and' Sirmath Marndi will be ordained to mini~ter to our Darrang friends. Ratu Marndi will be, ordained and will war k in J oema. We are sending Choto Murmu and James Soren to Divinity School, 80 after a few years we will have more trained workers in Bahre Rasa. Fifty-four children studied in our Primary School for boys. Six village schools have the enrollment of ninetytwo children. Pandu Marndi has continued his work in our dispensary and has helped one thousand fifteen patients Forty-five children of Christian parents and forty-sir non-christians were baptized. Thirty-five were confirm.ed and twenty-five couples were married. The church contribution for the year was R:s. 1067~10-6~ I wish to thank all who have remem bered us and the Santals in the J oema District in their prayerfl. Please. continue to pray that many may be gathered into God's Kingdom. ADELAIDE LANDOY. I

73 66. THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. MORNAL During the present abnormal times it is natural that ma.ny difficulties must arise with regard to the working of a Tea Garden. When writing a report on the congregational work it is, however, very satisfactory to be able to state that, in spite of higher earnings now being offereq in other places due to scarcity of labour and the abnormal rise in prices of food and clothing, the Garden population has not decreased to any appreciable extent. It no doubt shows that the majority of the people here have settled down and are not easily tempted away by a temporary gain in income. Everything possible has been, done to prevent the employees from hardships and to continue to aim at the old established idea of making the Mi~sion Tea Garden a place where the labourers can live and work and have their home life free from want and anxieties. The fact that we had the joy of receiving thl'ough baptism 22 Santals, 2 Mundas and 1 Bengali into the church during the past year gives us much encouragement. Our new Santal Pastor, Jatu Murmu has now become more used to Assam and the conditions' here. Coming straight from the Divinity School at Chondorpura he has" brought along with him quite a good deal of zeal, useful knowledge and new ideas. During March to June we had Bible study in the evening twice weekly in our church and a number of both Santals and Mundas joined, some being quite eager to learn more of the Word of God. The, Bengali-speaking people had similar Bible studies in their own church at Pauspur. ~pecial women's meetings have been held as usual every Friday and a subst~ntial quantity of rice has been given as offerings on these occasions. As so often before we have again had opportunity to notice that when,the

74 EVEN-TV-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 67 women folk of a village become really interested' it helps 'so' much to promote and stabilize all 'the religious a.ctivities of that village in particub;r and of the whole church in general. Sunday schools have given encouragement and in a place like this where, due to the limited distances, it is comparatively eary to gather the children on Sunday mornings, we still look ujjon this branch of the work as one of our best opportunities to bring the Gospel into the hearts of the coming generation. Our day school has suffered to some extent for want of teachers, some having left to join war service. Towards the end of the year Suku Sangma has, however, come back' here after completing his two years' teachers training in a Union Mission Institution in Bengal. Another of our own boys completed his first year's training there and we hope he will 1Iolso in due course come back here to take up teaching in our school. As usual, the Dhorompur congregation and the area of the Basbari-Tipkai forests has been supervised from Mornai. We much regret that our Christians in the village of Uksiguri have npt been attending Ohurch services as regularly as they used to do. In order to do more by way of preaching the Gospel to Santals living in these forests, it has been decided that a yo.ung Santal preacher will shortly be stationed at Dhorompur. We hope in this way to be able to do more effective work in this area. Towards the end of the year the American Baptist Mission have given us' permission to ta~e over their Christians living in the same forest, most of whom are in a. place called Kalabandari. They are mostly Rabhas who besides their own language also understand Bengali. We hope tha.t,our Bengal\ workers, Jacob Biswas and

75 68 l'he SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Satsoron,Sen, will be abl-eto do something for.these Christians who are rather in.diffipulty, living in an isolated place where it has evidently not so far been possible to give them proper attention. In conclusion we heartily thank ;all our friends for their prayers, gifts. and sympathy during the past year.. INGEBORG & OLUF EIE. rrhe HORO WO.RK. It is not easy to give a full picture of this year's 'happenings under rapidly changing conditions. We have had to share the difficulties prevailing in India during the year, due to the war. Mention may be made of' the incredibly high prices of food, which have made it hard "for people with comparatively low salaries. Cholera has been widespread in the villages, 'especially in Bongaigaon district,and also other epide- mics. In Bongaigaon district 116 of the Christians are reported to ha\1e died, and prob~bly the number is slightly higher. But there are certainly many who have felt God's helping ~and during these times of sorrow and a.nxiety, and,hav.e had th-eir faith in God strengthened. It is wonderful that we have been able to come through somehow, though the stress has been great, and one of our preachers is not alone when he gave witness in a sermon that ;behad 'experienced God~s blessing and help 'during these difficult months. '. :During such times there is the danger that the con oe.rn about :food, prices a:nd money may tend to quench. ~the. inter~st,in spiritual things. But it.,is ;also a.n oppor..

76 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 69 tunity.for lbutual help and for drawing nearer to God as the loving and helping Father, who does not forget His children. And we are glad that we have been able to carryon the work without interruption In 37 places the Christians come togeth-er for warship and the tea.ching of the Word of God. It is en- couraging to see their willingness to contribute to the work and build their church and school buildings, loving and caring for the church in their midst. The number of baptized from the heathen is sl~ght1y less than in the previous year. But there are some under instru~tion, and there seems to be in some minds an unrest and questioning for something that can satisfy the soul. A sign of that is the conversion at the end of the year of a Sadhu and teacher of the Brahma religion, which has quite a stronghold on many of the more educated and progressive Boros. He is now eagerly reading Christian books and asking for baptism. In some other places, also, there are signs of movement towards the Christian faith. Though some of our villaga schools are small and comparatively weak, we are more and more convinced of the importance of these schools as a vitalizing factor in the life of the congregations by the furthering of literacy, by instruction in the Christian doctrines, and, not lea-st, by the singing. And the fruits will, we hope, become apparent by and by. There are now 14 village schools supported by the mission. One of the senior teaehers has bee\n appointed to visit and inspect them regularly, besides his other work. ~ore congregations are asking for help towards schools,.but we are now following the principle of le.tting them show their interest by starting themselves,and later apply for help. Two small schools have been w.orking in that way during the year.

77 70 THE SAN-TAL MISSION OF THE NORrHERN CHURCHES. A convention sabha was held in Boldi, and it was well attended - and encouraging in many ways. There were some separate meetings for women. The boys and girls from Bongaigaon and Tajobari schools attended and ~.ave good- help by their singing and entertainment. The arrangement was undertaken by the people of the district. For the first time a-mela was held in connection with the convention,_ and though small it was the start of anew feature. The Church Council has also this year been of great assistance in the work. More and more, all matters of ililportance go to the Council for decision, and the work gains thereby in stability and progress. Besides, we believe that it is also,a pre para tion and training for the future, when the church is to live its independent life. The Council has met five times during the year. It decided to send two candidates to the Divinity School. ii1 Chondorpura. eo The work among women received attention of the last meeting. One women in Gothaibari who has a~ready started as a voluntary worker was appointed as the first paid Bible women. The number of women -conducting women's meetings in the villages is increasing, and the Council decided to encourage them by gi ving them a special gift every Christmas: The increase in contributions is, of course, mainly due to the high prices of rice. Much of the "chanda" is given in rice, especially at women's meetings. But the effort of the Council to collect the yearly "chanda" 0 paddy also bore fruit. MUQh of this paddy was given as a prepay to mission workers' and proved a good help.

78 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 71 The contributions towards church land school buildings in the villages and their part of teachers' salaries are; as usual, not recorded. The congregation of Gothaibari ha:::l started on a big venture, building a church at the cost of nearly two and a half thousand rupees. They have gotten R:s. 300 as help from the mission, and Council. Theirs is an example of great enthusiasm, and worthy to be p,raised. It has been a great joy this year to welcome to the Boro field Mr. and Mrs. Westborg, who have been placed in Bongaigaon and are now going to take charge of the school and district. We wish them blessing and happiness in the new work. GAO RANG DISTRICT. The village of Jiaguri again became a separate congregation, as it was found difficult to walk to Jambuguri. The work in Samthaibari was discontinued. The number of congregations is seventeen, as in the previou'ii year. New church buildings were dedicated in Ghaksa, Jambuguri and Mothambel, the biggest congregation. Serfanguri also built a new church. In Jharbari near Patgaon a new congregation is growing up, due to Christian families moving in there. They have already built a church which was dedicated and services have been h~ld. 40 from heathen and 90 children of Christians have been baptized. There are 93 under instruction, children included. Contributions from congregatjons amount to Rs KOKRAJHAR CHRISTIAN HOSTEL. We received Rs. 300 from the misslon as a help to build a new boarding house; but the plan had to be

79 72 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCHES. postponed and the previously built houses were I and prdved adequate thi~ year. repaired The amdunt collected by the Boros during the year fdr" the hdstel was Rs bdys have heen staying in the hoarding, 3 in High 'SChDDI, 3 in class six of M. E. SChODI. and Dne in a lower class. BORONI LITERATURE BOARD. The printing Df the new editidn Df the Hymn ho.o.k was co.mpleted by the middle o.f the year. One new ho.dklet has been sent to. the press. That is a sho.rt his,to.ry o.f the Church Fathers, translated from the Santali editidn, A small literature committee has been appointed by the council and is he1ping in the work. BONGAIGAON DISTRICr. 51 from heathen have been baptized, 28 o.f who.m are fro.m Gandabel, and 98 children o.f Christians. This also includes the co.ngregations in Kamrup and l1arrang. 73 are repo.rted to be under instructio.n. After waiting for some time, the Council has decided to. take up in earnest the work among the numero.us BDro.S in. t}le Bijni area. One preacher has been selected for that field. and he has already found one man very interested and eager to. listen to. the GDspel. There are Dne Dr two. Christian BorD families Dn that side. Theoondition Df the Christians in Northern Kamrup is rathet" wea.k.. with some disagreement between the leaders. A new church building was dedicated in Boldi. We have had friendly cdmmunicatidns with the Bapti:it Mission regarding exchange Df membership and Dther matters.

80 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL "RE"PORT. ",73 Contributions amount to RB ," including Rs. 25 'for the Bongaigaon boarding house and Rs 'as in "come from the mela. The school in Bongaigaon has 26. students, 19 of them in boarding. The high prices have made the work difficult, and we did not dare to appoint a new headmaster this year under such conditions. But it seems to be necessary to find one now. With thanks to friends and supporters, ANNA & HAKON H.ALVORSRUD. GAORANG MISSION GIRLS' SCHOOL. The p~st year has, on the whole, been a good year for the school. We have been able to carryon the work without being disturbed by invasion rumours and any other qifficulties from without. In April-May we had several cases of rather had dysentery both on the compound and in the hoarding. Fortunately none proved fatal. Excepting that, the health has been very good both among teachers and children. The rise in food prices made it rather difficult the last four months as our stock of paddy was then finished; but somehow we came through. and looking back we must only thank God for His many blessings throughout the year. From the new school year a new teach~r. Florida Baroah, Matric passed and senior trained, joined OUT staff. and we opened class VI with 5 pupils. After a visit of the Inspectress D.!., and S. I. of sehoole, the J

81 74 1'HE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHE school was recognized as an M. E. school. The ntim ber of children has increased during the year so at the close we have 48 on the roll, taught by 4 teachers. They are divided in classes as following: Infant " Class " B I II class " " " III IV V VI Besides the ordinary needlework in school we are raising silkwotms and spinning and weav~ng is!jeing done. Sunday-school has been carried on with an average number of 40 children. SOFIE NESSET. SANTIPARA LEPER WORK & DISTRICT. THE LEPER WORK. In Dr. E. Muir's book "Leprosy" we find the following passage: "One of the most important factors in the treatment of leprosy is healthy exercise upto the capacity of the individual, without this no other form of treatment is likely to be of permanent value h, and our experience here in the colony goes to prove his statement. But the trouble is that some of the new patients in the colony, and more so those who never turn up at the colony, seem to be of a different opinion. Some of the lepers are not accustomed to work at home, others believe that they may get worse if they work, and others again prefer spending their time worki~g on their own farms. On account of this attitude, many of thej early non-infectious cases which could possibly be cured or ~rrested after a comparatively short treatment at the colony have their free

82 SEVkNTY-SEVEN'fH ANNUAL REPORT. 75 course. On the other ha.nd. we are still more interested in getting the contagious cases, which spread the disease, into the colony for isolation and treatment. But so far only a minority have appeared. In order to awaken the villag~ pe)ople to. the danger of leprosy, a great deal of propaganda will have to be carried out. For this and other purposes the Goalpara District Anti-Leprosy Organisation was started this year. It is headed by the Deputy Cqmmissioner and other Government officials in this district in addition to the members of the Santipara Committee. During the year 110 in-door patients were treated. According to Dr. S. M. Ganguli's report, 23 of the cases were arrested, and 34 improved greatly. The average attendance at the 3 out-clinics 'was similar to that of 1942, and some new patients came for I treatment. The numbers of out-clinic patients are as follows: Santipara Leper Clinic : 17 Gurubhasa 266 ( of whom 35 became " arrested cases) Gaorang 102 (7 cases arrested) " " New land has also this year been prepared for cultivation, but crop was rather small owing to insufficient irrigation of our rice fields. We have investigated the possibilities of irrigation from an old canal to the north of the. colony,. but so far no decisions have neen taken in connection with this project. In the new section of the Tung Oil Garden 1270 trees I have been.planted. The Primary School for leprous children carried on a.s usual. The teacher is a leper who- once was a student of Cotton College, Gauhati.

83 76'; THE.sANT.AL MISSION OF '!'HE NORTHERN CHURCkKS. The spiritual work among the patients has also this year been: faithfully performed by our pastor and two of the- other fellow workers. In June, when a heavy storm damaged(most of our houses, the temporary church collapsed. In t.he words of Ni'mbai pastor:. ': She sat down like an elephant." - Economically the year proved a difficult one, but the.assam Government, ~he MisBion to Lepers, The Assam Christian Council and The Bijni Raj Ward Estate came forward to our assistance. We convey -our most heartfelt thanks to all our supporters for their interest and gifts. THE DISTRIC'!'. The visible result of the work in the district is rather maa.gre compared to last year. This is probably due to tlur present circumstances. People are so taken up with secular things that they hardly find time, to listen to the GOSPf}l. In addition, a desire for money and for more mon"y seems to have taken hold of their hearts. During the year 12 heathens and 25 Christiani pa.rents ha.ve been baptized. children of Our oldest worker. Samuel Soren, who used to be a school teacher for many years in Bahre Hasa, died just be.fo~e, Christmas. It was a great testimony to us who wer.e pr.esent at his death-bed to notice his faith and trust and" joy before he peacefully passed away. In closing this report we want to thank everybody who has in any way enabled us to carryon the work. Tha.nk you! BERGLJOT & GUNNAR 'FOSSLAND.

84 The I life of a church reveals itself through acts of faith. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ draws the members of the congregation together for worship and for holy communion; faith leads them to bring their children for holy baptism. and to give their offerings for the Lord's work. And faith alone is able to draw the world into the fellowship of saints in Christ. Looking over the Congregational Returns for the year. 1943, and adding together the different items, may in one way be regarded as a very tedious work; but looked at as registration of acts of faith, a higher illumination falls on the figures revealing the continuous growth of that living faith and obedience which started on the mo.untain in Galilee, when the Lord spoke the words: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the \ Father, and of the Son. and of thee Holy ~ Ghost,-". In the 235 places of worship there w~re held in all 1224 communion services, 810 children of Christian parents were ba.pt~zed, and 672 were admitted from outside were confirmed, and 218 couples were married. The tota;l a.mount of church collections, women's "cupnt' cand&"

85 78 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. I and other offerings amounted to &so 14,314. The offerings in the Assam area both among the Santals and among the Boros were especially high, indicating th~t offerings in kind brought in more money than usual. In the attached Summary of Congregational Returns we do not print all the material collected. Bearing in mind the famine conditiqns of this part of India during 1943, it may be rev~aling to mention that in our small community of nearly twenty seven thousand. 734 cases of death were reported. This works out 27 pro mill. and yet we know from experience that actual mortality is always higher than what we get on record. Due to the unsettled conditions in the early part of the year, no meeting of the Synod was called. Certain papers relating to Standing Rules for Congregations, Church Councils and the Church were circulated among the members of the Synod. and will come up at the next meeting. The different District Church Councils have met from time,to time and in. spite of the general nervousness among' all types of people, the work of the Church has been carried on in an orderly way. On the recommendation by the Santal Parganas Church Council two new pastors were ordained at Dumka on Whitsunday, June 13th. They were. Cunu M urmu, for work in Tarni. Peter' Murrou, for work at Beldanga, Murshidabad district. Before closing this report, it must also be mentioned that the two Santal Pastors. Jujhar Soren an\! Munshi Hembrom, have continued with the Santal Labour Companies and have done good service. Pastor Karan Soren was appointed an E~ A. R. O. and made one tour to certain units and administered to their need. Much more work

86 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 79 of this nature ought to be done. for man.y young Santals are now to be found far and wide; but proper arrangements cannot easily be made. Under this type of Diaspora work there is also a branch worked, by a Santal Committee, and one pastor, Bhogon Murmu, volunteered to go there and serve outside the territory of British India. Though the work there is just in the beginning. they have already been able to report good news. Strangely e~ough. one lay member of our church, Bhoje Soren, was called t6 the eternal rest when voluntarily giving his help in that new area. When nobody else was ready to respond to the invitation extended to us by a person appearing from there, Bhoje stood up in our workers' meeting and said: 'I Let th"e dead bury their dead, I am willing to go." And so he followed to the strange land and learned the way, so that he in due time could lead better trained persons there. In his life this barely literate Santal acted up to the high teaching of our Lord: " Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die. it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. " J. GAUSDAL.

87 - f ~UNUREGAII0NAL REI URNS ror IHE rear 1943,' COMMUNITY WORKERS, MINISTRA i'ions I III -, ---",=,UNtlAY :--:CHfI()L~ It EDUCATJONAL I CHURCH COLLECTIONS III..c ~ III ~ III s:: ~ (I) III Q) :: AND.2,.Q.~ '1:1 s:: (I) &1-1 (I) ~ s:: ~ ~ ~ s:: o III as III III '1:1 STATlON as S~ S Q) '" 0 QJ fi.) III b() Ill~ ~.~ ~~ III 0 '1:Is::~'1:1~ s:: '1:18 ~ S '\Joo OTHER OFFERINGS Q) (I) III I ~ Q) ~'s = '1:1 III E= ~~:p ~ (I) Q.; Q.) III Q) Q)... b.o'-. '" ~ '" '0... Q) as '" ~(,) ~!.~ as.~ ~.!!7 :;; ~ CJ::j.~~..::I b.o ~ _..c:l ;:g 0 '0 :g s:: III ]~ '1:1 :0... ~._ as ;:; r-. ::l :;::0 ~&I-I ;:; s:: cd 0 ~. 8 0!XI...-I 0 ~ p~ cd...c..c c:ts~ 0 ~ c Q) C>- o ~ r;.;; P 8 ~~o c.q 0 ~(,) E-t 0 U1 8 (,) Rs. A. P. - I, Kaerabani I 2 7, 5 2' 16 3il i i4 9 ].! 1 1 6, 2 Dhorompnr ' lot Dnmka ~ S Maharo , ]~O Koroya ! i 1 19 ~ 7 1~4, Condorpura I:.~ ! Saldoha ~ 504 i v lol Basetkundi ()~ :Moh ul pahari ~5 1 ~ 0 ~ ;) Tilabani :> ~5:~ I a :!~ Benagaria , > III :) Diaspora 2 2 P I TOTAL FOR AREA It Badhair , Khoribari 6 ~ ! Eklakhi ] I Potra I : Rantnagar Phoridpur Narayanpnr ~8 635 ~ I TOTAL FOB ~EA Assam Colony :~ l10rnai \ :.!l0 I 4 1;~7 ~ Joema tH :W 5 75 :> Santi para J ~ TOTAL Foa.ABEA Gaoraug I Bongaigaon i TOTAL :FOR AREA Dnmka B Narainpur Suri Nimasarai 18 4~ Cooch Behar HO ~OTAL FOB AREA \ '6 TOTAL ' l, to loi

88 Auditors' Certificate. Certified that we have checked the books of the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches for the years ended 31st December 1942 and 31st December 1943 as follows :- The General Cash Book has been examined with the Subsidiary Books and vouchers and is correct. The Bank Pass Book has been 'checked and agreed. Regarding Emergency and Indian Workers' Pension Fund investments we have seen Certificates from the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Bombay for the sum of Rs. 70, and Messrs. Jetmull Bhojraj, Da~jeeling fo"r Rs. 6, held by.jjlem on current accounts at 31st December We have also ileen the Fixed Deposit Receipt for'-- Rs. 5, dated 15th May 1943 of Messrs. Mohadeolal Prabhudayal, Dumka and the Savings Bank Pass Books in respect of Messrs. R. J. Himatsingka and the Post Office Defence Savings Bank for Rs. 1, and Rs at 31se December The Government of IndIa inscribed stock for the face value of Rs. 34,000/- as also drafts on Dumka Treasury Nos and dated 19th and 14th December 1943 for Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 14:, were produced to us for our verification. We have also seen a certificate from the Secretary of the Mission for the sum of Rs. 10, held by him in cash on 31~t December No certificates for the sum of Rs. 9, and Rs. 5, held by Lloyds Bank,' Ld. t Darjeeling on Savings and current accounts were produ(~ed to us but these agreed with the respective Pass Books of the Bank. We have seen nothing in support of the amount held by the Chartered Bank of India Australia and China. Calcutta for Rs. 18,000/- held by them on current account at 31st December The investments on account of the Emergency Fund and the Indian Workers' Pension Fund are detailed in Cash Book folio 104. We have examined the Zemindary Accounts and have ascertained that all remittances have been accounted for in the General Cash Book.. The Colony Cash Books have been checked as follows :- Such Vouchers as are available have baen checked and all remittances from the Mission ha ve been seen to be duly entered, all postings of the Loan Books have been checked and the total balances of LOBons and Deposits outstandings have been agreed therewith. Ctl\lcutta March 7th x: Sd. LOVELOCK LEWES Chartered Accountants Registered Accountants.

89 82 SHE S.A.NT.A.L MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES Statement of General Mission Account RECEIPTS, To Balance in hand on 1/1/43 American Board per Treasurer 8~,6:l2 2 " " to Dr. E. " " Ostergaard to Rev. A. " " " Stronstad " The Mornai Tea Garden " From Lutheran Federation the Norwegian Government " " in London Zemindary " " " Church of Scotland Mission to Kaerabaui & Maharo Schools " Collections by Church of Scotland Santal, Christians " From Rev. Oscar Bakke, New York " " The Missj'on to Lepers Santi para Leper Colony i " " " " Miss Henriette Hansen, Thorshavn Kvinnliga Missions Arbetare Stokbolm Laeral'innornas Missions Forening,, Sweden " Captain Finn Larsen, Sydn.. y " Dr. Mrs. Fleming, Woodstock, LaudoDI' " Miss Davis, " " " Misses Johanna & A[)!tie Josephine Gaustad, U renui, New Z~aland " Jemad&.r Bhonde Soren " Refunded Illcometax " Refund of balance on travelling expo " Interest on CIa Carded OVE'r Rs. Rs. A. P. 24, ! 83, ,000 47,996 13, ,000 3,6GO , , f> S :! : ~,(j

90 SEVENTY":'SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 1st January-31st December EXPENDITURE. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. By Missionaries' salaries 55,440 " " inco metax I )111 " " hill allowances " Children's special scuool allowances 8,100 & travelling 2,142 8 " Medicine & cycle allowances 3, , " Kaera bani Mission,. ". Dispensary " " Santal High School " Contrib. to Provident Fund for Kaerabani Teachers " Dhorompur Mission " Dumka Mission " " Bengali Work " Koroya Mission " "Orphanage & School " Maharo Mi"sion " Girls' School "., " Dispensary " Mohulpahari Mission "" "Dispensary " Tilabani & Karikador Mission " Chondorpura Mission "Divinity School " Saldoha Mission ". Saldoha Leper Colony " Basetknndi Mission " Benagaria Mission " Benagaria Industrial School " Benagaria Hospitsl " Na.rainpur Bengali Work Girls' School "" "Nimasarai Bengali " Work "Ma.lda Bengali Women's Work " Dinajpur & MaIda Santali Work " Eklakhi Girls' School " Santal Colony "Haraputa Girls' School " Assam Medical Work Carried over Rs. 3,633 1,000 1~,D , ,237 2,796 1,623 7, , ,415 4,200 2, ,000 6,490 10, ,593 7,811.2, , ,600 2,700 7,621 3, ,

91 I I. " '. 84 THE -SANTAL MISSION OF THE NOR'l'HERN CHURCHES. To:.. RECEIPTS-Ooncludeil Brought forwa.rd Rs. A. P. 338, ! --~- \ Total Rs. 338, !-

92 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNuAL REPORT. 85 EXPENDITURE-Oontinued Rs. A: P. y Brought forward " Joema Mission " Gaorang Boro Mission " " "Girls' School " Bongaigaon Boro Mission " Santipal'a Leper Colony... n " Mission " Dearness allowance for Indian Workers " Donati~n to Missionaries from the Norwegian Government in London " Contribution to Indian Workers' Pension Fund for 1943 " Conference,Committees & travelling " Mission Station Rent " Civil Surgeon's fee " Office expenses " Secretary's travelling " "Pera Hor" " Stipend for Santals in Sa.ntal Parganas " Assam." " " " " I' Bengal " " "Bengalees " " H College Students " Santal Literature Committee " Boro Literature Board " Lutheran Federation for 1943 " Santal Christian Council " Bengal",,1943 " Assam" " " " Printing Annual Report etc. n Dumka Church Repairs " Legal expenses " Bank charges It Money sent out to Dr. E. Ostergaard,. " Rev. A. E. Stronstad " " " " Total Rs. Passage money on Mission cia Calcutta Balance in Lhand pro 31/12/43 Total 204, ,~44 5,998 2,646 6,277 11, , ,125 1, , , , , ,200 1, ,500 1, , ,000 17, i Rs , i

93 86 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES Sant~1 Mission. of The Northern Churches Funds on the 31st December 1943 A. Emergency Fund: 1 On cia with Chartered Bank o India, Australia & China, Bombay 4, Add interest Rs. A. P. Rs. A. Po 5, On s/a with Lloyds Bank Limited, Darjeeling 9, Add interest , Held in Cash at the Dumka Office 10, , B. Assam Leper & Hospital Fund:. Cheques on Dumka Treasury Rso 39, c. Passage Fund: 1 On c/o. with Lloyds Bank Limited, Darjeeling Rs. 5, On cia 'Yith Jetmull Bhoj raj, Darjeeling Rs. 6, On Mission's cia with Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Calcutta Rso 18, Rso 30, D. Budget 1944.: On cia. with Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Bombay Re. 65,

94 SEVEN1'Y-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. Indian Workers' Pension Fund on the 31st December Rs A. P. Rs Capital on 1st January ,812 Paid pensious for " " " , Refunded previous members ;) Total Expenditure Rs. 4, Contrib. from members 1, Contrib. from mission 1,474, 2 3 Nett interest on ca,pital 1, A. P Less Total Reoeipts Rs. 4, Invested in this way: 1 As Inscribed Stock with Reserve Bank of India, Cawnpore: 3 % Rupee LORn 1896-~7, Certificate CAb7 Nom Rs / Rs. 40, at cost Rs. 15,6~S 5 4 :J!% Rupee Loan , Certificate CA 76~ Nom. Rs :3,200/- S! % Ru pee Loan 1854-~5, Certificate CA 507 Nom. Rs. 1,'200/-. 3!% Rupee Loan 18!~-.t.:~, Certificate VA 47:-3 Nom. Rs. 6,600/- :J!% Rupee Loan 1805, Certificate C A. 78~ Nom. RR 4,000/- at cost.h.s. 14, Hs.30,10[ P. O. Defence Savings a/c " 3,-t.5:~ 7 ~ IlIteJ'est 8t' 5 2 On Fixed Deposit wit h Mis. Mahadeola.l Pr~hhnd8yal " 5,167 4 :-l InteJ'f'st " i~o 15 ('i Saving'S R!C wilh M/s R J. HlIlIatsinrrka, DUlllka " 2,OG lutert:lst Withdrllwn on :'J,}/I:?/t3 Cash ill halld a'ji~/t-:3 " 6~ 1,I ~,l:~l 0 "1,OuO 0 " :3, " ),l.h, 0 " Total Rs. 40,205 8 Q

95 88. Tij:ESANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Indian Home Mission Zemindary Estate. INCOME To: " u " " Balance of 1942 br. fl'. Rent collections ror 1349 B. S. '& arrears Salaami & Transfer fees Refund of costs from court Sale of Foodstuffs VaI-ious other collections Rs. A. P. 6, , , , Total Rs. 22,2?6 2 9 EXPENDITURE. By: Paid to Mission Treasurer Kha j us. to Hetam pur and others " ;, Legal Expenses Staff aud management Foodstuff bought for re-sale Miscelleneous expenses " Balance in hand on 31/12/+3 " Total Rs. Rs. A. P. 10, ~ , , , ~, Book-Sales. INCOME To: Balance of 1942 br. fr. " Income on Sales during 1943 " Grant received from Mission Rs. A., p , , Total Rs. 3, EXPENDITUR~J. Rs. A. p. By: Cost.of publicat.ion of books 1, Advance to Bena~al'ia. Mission Press " for purchased stock of paper 1, Books bought for re-sale Postage and Sundries :>' " Discount on bills l! " Bala.nce in hand on 31/1~/43 8:>'3 0 0 " Total Ra. S~

96 MALMSTROM, MISS I. NIELSEN, MRS DINA, ROSENLUND, REV. & MRS R. PEDERSEN, MISS J. O. (Dec. 1937), Eklakhl. (Nov. 1912), Ma.haro. (Febr. 1910), Kae~abani. (Nov. 1935), Saldoha.. Fro'm, Norway :.A.AsLAND, Miss MARIE, BUTTEDAHL, MISS MAGNHJLD, DIESEN, MISS NANCY, FOSSLAND, MR. & MR.s G. G.A.USDAL, REV. & MRS. J. GLAD, REV. & MRS. W. HALVORSRUD, REV. & MRS. H. JOHANSEN, J. ESQR. JOHANSEN, REV. & MRS. 8. KIPP NESS, REV & MRS H. LANDOY, REV. & MRS. M. LOHNE, MISS LAURA, M.A.LME, REV. & MRS. A. NESSET, MISS SOFIE, OFSTA.D, REV. & MRS. K. PEDERSEN, REV. & MRS. P. SIGURDSEN, MISS EDLE. SOMMING, Miss SOLVEIG, STRONSTAD, REV. & MRS. A. E. TaOMBORG, REV. & MRS. K. WESTBORG, MR. & MRs. D. (Oct. 1933), on furl. (Dec. 1927), on furl. (Dec. 1911), Mabaro. (Nov. 1937), Santi para. (Nov & Jan. 1919), Dumka. (Nov. 1931), on furl. (Oct & Nov 1937), Gaorang. (Nov. 1930), Saldoha. (Nov. 1935), Narainpur. (Nov. 193'7), Basetkundi. (Oct. 1936), Febr. 1940), Joema. (Oct. 1923), Koroya. (Nov. 1935), on furl. (March 1932), Gaorang. (Nov & March 1918), onfurl. (Jan & Nov. 1935), Tilabani. (Nov. 1934), Mohulpahari. (Feb. 1933), Haraputa.. (Nov. 1934), Ohondorpura. (Sep.1920 & Oct. 1923), Benagaria. (Jan. 1943), Bongaegaon. The Swedish Gooch Behar Mission: BJUNDT, REV. & MRS. A. W. (1925) on furl. MORTENSON, MISS STINA. (Nov. 1939), Cooch Behar. PIHLQUIST, MISS ELSE. (Dec. 1938) Cooch Behar. -

97 1 IV THE AMER1CAN BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Augsburg Seminary, Minneapolis, Minn. U. S. A. President: REV. ODD GORNITZKA Vice President and Chairman, Ex. Com: REV. J. C. AABE]W. Secretary and Treasurer: REV. B. A. HELLAND. Members - DR. SILAS C. ANDJtmSEN MR. C. P. HEIDE PROF. A. HELLAND REV. NILS KLUNGTVED1' REV. H. IRVING PETERSEN REV. ARTHUR H. RHOLL REV. J. O. LANERS REV. HAAKON JORGENSEN MR. P. L. LUND REV. JOR. RINGSTAD MR. L. L. ROROLT PROF. C. M. WESWIG THE DANISH BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Valbygaardsvej 76, Copenhagen, Denmark. President: REV. MARtus HANSEN, D. D, Copenhagen. Secretary: REV. VALD CHRISTIANSEN, Aarhus. Treasurer: MR. RICH. HENRIKSEN, St. Strandstrade 9, K. Copenhagen. Members - REV. RORDAM Cr,AUSSl<~N. CARLSEN,SKIODT, ESQ. REV. A. THELLE. REV. G. SCHIOLER. V. FIBIGER, ESQ. REV. H. WINDING.

98 THE NORWEGIAN BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Holbergs Gat6 23, Oalo, Norwa!l. President REV. H. E. WISLOFF. Vice President: RONSBERG, ESQ. Secretary: REV E. HALLEN, HOLBKRGS GATE 23, OSLO.. TrBlUu'I.r: MISS. ASTA OPSAHL, HOLBERGS GATE 23, OSLO. Members - M.ISS. S. LOKEN. RorlSBERG,.ESQ. REV. M. JOHNE. A. G[MNES, ESQ. OLBERG, ESQ. MIss. M. KINNEROD. The Committee of the American Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. REV. J. C. AABERG, President. REV. H. PLAMBECK, Secretary. MISS S. OSTERGAARD, Minnea.polis, Treasurer. K vionliga Mission. Arb.tar. Biger JO/I'lsgatan 67, Stockholm. Secretary: MI8S M. JOSEPHSON.

99 INDIAN PASTOR!. Andreas Mn~mu 1924, Dumka (Dumlca P.O.) B~ijtl Risdal 1924, Gamharp~hni (Benagaria P.O.) Bajnn Mnrmo,1939, Amgachi. Dhgrgmpnr (Kumrabad P.,0.) Bhiknlal Ha.sdall 1937, Majdiha (Katikund P.O.) Bhobendro Narjary, 1942, (Bongaegaon P.O.) Bhgggn Mnrmn 1938, Babhondia (Kaerabani P.O.) B08onto Kumar Dotta 1910, (Narayanpur P. 0) Bndhr,i Ha.sdaI1937, Badhar, Rajshahi (Talanda P.O.) Ch,kn Tncj.u 1937, Ranga, Chgndgrpnra. (Katikund P.O.) Dhononjoy Jha 1923, Dangalpara, (Dumka P.O.) Emannel TUQu 1929, Basetku~lIji, (Mokeahpur P.O.) G,In 8grt?n 1928, Chondorpnra, (Katikund P.O.) Goln,Mnrmn, 1940, Potra, (Harirampur P. 0 ) Jalpa SQrt?n, 1901, (Retired) James Hopna Soren, 19 t2, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) J~tu Murmn, 1942, Mornai (ljingdinga P. 0.) John Roy, 1941, Cooch Behar. Jghgn HisdalC 1933, DhQ1'Qmpur (Kumrabad P.O.) Johon Mnrmn, 1935, Dnmbria, Maharo (Jarmundi P.O.) John Jotadbari Das 1940, (Mohulpaha'ri P.O.) Joseph Hasdai 1940, Tilabani (Asanbani P.O.) Jnjhar Soren, 1941, Santal Labour 00. K,lu Kisku, 1931, Chpndgrpnra (Katilcund P.O.) Kanhu Tu4o, 1939, Grahampur. (Dingdinga P.O.) Karan SQrtn 1934, Dumka. Khndi, M,r\lc}i 1931, (Mohulpakari P.O.) LgdQ S9rjD 1923, Sapadoha (Benagaria P. 0.") LgkhgD Hembrgm Manjad,bri (Dingdinga P.O.)!.ops&. S~~n 1932, (&ti,.ed)

100 .H VU Maharaj Bbandari 1937, (Nimasarai P.O., MaZda) Mansin 'fu4-u 1937, Karoya J (Dumlca P.O.) Modbu Sudon Kisku 1940, Phoridpur, (Habra P.O.) Mgilggl. H~mbrgm 1933, Jitbia (Benagaria P.O.) Mgnggl Kisku 1930, Rautnagar (Ranisankkail P. 0.) Munsbi Hembrom, 19j,1, Santal Labour 00. Naran Sgren 1934, Kaerabani, (Ka61'abani P. 0) Nimb,i Murmu, 1941, Santi para (Bongaegacm P.O.) Olicboron Boro 1932, Gaorang, (Haltugaon P.O.) P,ul Murmn 1935, Joema (G08saingaon P.O.) Pitor H~mbrgm 1928, Rannpur (Dingdinga P.O.) R~ti11- BQrg 1911, Haraputa (Gossaingaon P.O.) Rnben Mnrmn 1933, MaLaro (Dumka P.O.) Ruben Murmu, 194~t Hingaon (Odalguri P.O.) Ruben Soren 1941, Saldoha (Mokulpakari) P.O.) Simon Mnrron 1929, Narainpur (Tear P.O.) Sibram M,rl}~i 1939, Haripnr (Palcuria P. 0.) Simon Baske 1938, Dnm (Dumka P.O.) Sodanondo Baske 1939, Benag11-ri" (Benagana P.O.) Srinath Biswas 1930 Rampurhat. Snphol Hembrom, Eklakbi, (Borgacn,i P.O.) Tarani!swary, 1942, Ga.orang (P. 0.) Tik, Murmu 1942, Cirapathor (Katil:und P.O.)

101 THE SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR tsgi,... The year 1942 also has come to an end. It came to us from the hand of the Eternal and the days and months have passed filled with opportunities, with anxieties, with joys a.nd with sorrows. Truly it can be said that "the Lord gave, and the Lord huth taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job. 1, 21. As a mission we both entered and completed the year under -the same black cloud as recorded in previous reports: Cut off from two of our homelands with very little news coming through, and even with our third homeland, America, communications became very slow and irregular after 'Pearl Harbour'. Thus we have felt very isolated from people of faith who sent us out to this field of labour. Otherwise it passes beyond our understanding that the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches has come so well through this troubled time, and we feel inclined to think that it is our devoted friends in the homelands who have prevailed upon the Lord to take special care of us Even during the weeks of unrert here in India, no harm came to any of our buildings or to any of our workers. Some missionaries experienced difficulties in returning from the hills to their stations, and delays were caused in many ways. But all this was of such minor nature that it comes to nothing when we think of the upheava.l of our time all over the world.

102 2 THE S.ANTAL MIBSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. The friendly reader who turns these few pages so far as to the Summary of Accounts will see that the American Board of the Santal Mission, the Lutheran Federation here in India, the Royal Norwegian Government in London and the Church of Scotland Santal Mission, together with several individual friends, stood by us in keeping this work going during Our indebtedness to the Governm ent of Bihar, the Government of Bengal, and the Government of Assam, is. however. not apparent from the accounts, because the support they give to our work is given as grants to particular institutions and usually enters the accounts there without passing through the central treasury of the mission. But it is a pleasant duty to place on record that we have throughout this time of distress received very great symphathy from those in authority. and additions to the previous grants have been given in several instances. For all this we wish to tender our grateful thanks. The Mornai Tea Garden has providentially turned out to be one of the biggest factors in saving the mission work through the present crisis. Messrs. G. Lochen & Co., Calcutta. has been the Managing Agent for a number of years, and continued so for the year under review. Due to favourable weather and experienc~d leadership in the Garden, the output for the year was greater than at any time before. The above mentioned firm has now been reorganised under the name of N orinco Limited, with S. Gylseth. Esqr. as Managing Director, and from the 1st of January, 1943 this reorganised firm is our Managing Agent. No missionaries could go on furlough during 1942, and no missionaries could come out from any of our homelands. Those on furlough in America have all been doing v~luable Rervice, we h~ve heard, One of them,

103 SEVEN'l'y-SrXTH ANNUAL REPORT.., 3 the Rev. B. A. Helland, has now from the beginning of 1943 taken over the office of Secretary-Treasurer to the American Board. The previous holder of this office I the Rev. M. C. Dixen. accepted a call from a congregation in the middle of and for the rest of the year he carried on the mission work without pay. For about 10 years he gave his devoted service to the mission and stood by the work through the ups and downs of the unsettled years; and though he now has taken over the work in one particular congregation, he will not forget the Santal Mission. We thank him for all he has been for the work hitherto, and wish him blessing in the new field of activity. Towards the close of the year a Norwegian refugee missionary, David Westborg, with wife and child, came to us from the China side, and our Executive Committee have accepted them as temporary workers in our Boro work, to be stationed at Bongaegaon. The Executive Committee met only twice during 1942, in April at Dumka and in October at Calcutta. Condi. tions of travel had become so irregular during the latter half of the year, and food supply so scarce, that we could not call the Annual Conference during the cold season But the work as a whole followed the established lines detailed in previous reports, to which the following pages give ample proof. A new venture, that of two missionaries alternately going to Calcutta to take services for Scandinavian sailors at least once a month, came to a clore when shipping nearly disappeared at this port due to the Japanese inva.ding Burma. And another new thing, that came to us towards the clo~e of the year, Was that of a Santal coming from settlers outside British India asking that though they bad gone far away, they should not be forgotten. This is now under favourable consideration by some prominent Santals.

104 4 THE SANTAJ.J MisSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. This last call came to us about a month after we on the 27th of September had celebrated the 75 years' Jubilee in all our churches. And it reminded us that though it is right and proper to remember the past dayg and those who laboured before us, the Lord's service has a1ways a call for the future to all believers: Building on the foundation laid, go ahead in the name of our Lord and Saviour. The Santal Mission will also try to do this, and we invite old and new friends to come along with us. J. GAUSDAL.

105 WORK IN BIHAR KAERABANI DISTRICT. We are thankful that the hope expressed in the last annual report of having 2 new churches built during was fulfilled. The church in Dighari was dedicated on the 29th November, the J ambua church on the 27th December. In both places a new church was very much needed. In both these villages the Christians are numerous' Dighari is a sort of centre for a' large part of our mission area to the South (from Kaerabani), J ambua is our most Western outpost, so to speak, which might, and we hope will, become a centre. For the near future it is,_~,~ur hope and prayer that we may get a pastor for that Western-most place. His work will to a large extent be preaching work in the area between J ambua and the Ojoe river where there are still no Christians (while there are some to the South). That part of his work will be of the sort which might still be called pioneer work. Some of us read in our youth J. R. Mott's famous book: "The Evangelization of the world in this genera.tion". We have since had manifold experiences teaching us that real evangelization is a slow work. Some of our friends well acquainted with the map might find it a bit difficult to understand why a new church in Jambua is needed when the Domboria church where Jonas Haf:Jdak' is in charge, is only 2 miles away to the East. The reasons are mainly two: the necessity for pioneer work towardfl the W'est and the fact that the ohuroh in Domboria. is ra.ther sma.ll for the numerous Christians in Domboria, to say nothing of the Jambua COD,.,.ation and other Christians to the East a.nd the South_

106 6 THE SAN-TAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURchEs. Pastor Bhogon Murmu in Babhondiha will come once a month to administer Holy Communion in the 3 places: Jambua, Domboria and Sagra. In the last place Siblal Kisku is working as an Elder. In Dighari, Mongol Besra, who received training in our Divinity School, has been stationed. Pastor N aran Soren (Kaera bani) goes there once a month to administer Holy Communion. In the same way he also visits Dhobona, Domkata and Monhor (places to the North and to the East of Kaerabani, The part of the country to the South-West is divided between Pastor N aran Soren and Jonas Hasdak' (Domboria), and it is a very large area stretching away to the Ojoe river. Our friends will understand that our "Western Field" is very far from overcrowded 'with workers. The few Christians to the South-West are scattered far about and consequently very lonely. Several more places it seems to us, are greatly in need of a pastor or a congregational leader. But perhaps it is well that the Christians thenuielves get an even keener feeling of the need and that we all pray and hope more fervently to be enabled to meet the need. North and East of Kaerabani we have more workers, in Dhobona, Daniel Tudu ( trained in our Divinity School), in Domkata, the dhorom-manjhi" (village-headman for the Christians) Chondo Hembrom, in Monhor to the East where the country changes appearance and becomes more wild and wooded, Daniel Marndi, in a position like Chondo. And then, in Pahrudi in the same vicinity, J agdis Kisku, (trained in our Divinity School), who was during the year moved from his work in Asonthar to Pahrudi where his home is. His father Bhiku was in his time, (he is no more t 1934), an able school teacher. We employed him for some time in an experiment which failed, but that was not his fault. The School authorities together with the mission made an experiment with "short time" or "temporary" schools, the school master teaching the children in a. certa.in

107 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REP01jl.T. 'I locality for some months until they had learned reading a.nd writing and then starting again in another village. It proved a failure perhaps for more than one rea.son (I have just mentioned it to show that endeavours and experiments are not lacking as regards education). It should be mentioned that Chondo Marndi, (trained in the Divinity School), Pastor Naran Soren's assistant here in the Kaerabani vicinity, has joined in auxiliary war work. So have several of the Christians over here and we are glad that they are doing their bit. 26 have been baptized from among the heathen, 35 children of Christians. 26 have been confirmd. R. ROSENL UND. KAERABANI SANTAL HIGH SCHOOL. The school work at Kaerabani was carried on during 1942 in spite of some difficulties. We received what we needed for "the daily bread", but we found that the cost of living now-a-da.ys and the recruitment to the war service reduced the number of boys to some extent during the year. At the beginning of 1943 the number i!; further reduced. We are thankful to have been allowed to carryon the work undisturbed through a period of unrest and anxiety in the country. THE HIGH SCHOOL. The High School (High & Middle classes) had 242 students; the four high school classes had only 66 students while the four middle &chool claflses had 176. The work in the cla.sses was carried on satisfactorily. It is encouraging to notice a greater interest in the Santali language, both amongst the Santals themselves and also a.mongst the non-santals. On request of the Christia.n

108 $ THE SANT~ MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCIiES. stajf. the two religious. instruction periods in the week which arg auo.wed by government h~ve baen discontinued, since no.t. sufficient. and the staff volunt'eel"ed to ta.ke a Bible perio.d every morning in each class in addition to the class routine. The results of the examinations have for the Middle school class been fairly good as 80% of the students passed the e:x;amination; 35 students appeared and 28 pa.ssed. some in first division. Six students of the Middle school class left the school to join war service. For the Matriculation examination the result was not good as only 33% passed; 12 students were sent up and only 4 passed of whom 3 were Santals. During the year some changes have been made in the staff. Because of an order from Government requiring trained teachers exclusively, two Santal Christian teachers joined the staff instead of the two non-trained Santals. Since it has been difficult to find a trained graduate for the upper classes. who would like to settle down in Kaerabani. we have been forced to carryon the work more or less with the help of temporary trained teachers. The Director of Public Instruction, Mr. A. S. Khan. pa.id a visit to the school the 9th March and gave away the annual prizes. He expressed his great satisfaction with the work here. He has been a great help to us during the year in getting special grants and we extend our hearty thanks to him for this good help and encouragement. We also thank the Inspector of Bhagalpur, Mr. S. L. Das Varma. who visited us twice and was pleased with school. GURU TRAINING SCHOOL. The work in the training class was carried on normally. Three privateers appeared at the examination in November 1941 ~nd passed. The 9 students finished their second

109 SE''EN'I'V-stXTH AltNt1 At REPORT. year and appeared in the final examination in November Nearly all of them are now working in our mission schools. The District Inspeotor paid two inspection visits to the school and came in November for the practical examination. The Deputy Inspector of Deoghur a~d the Special Santal Inspector have also paid oocasional visits. THE LOWER PRIMARY SOHOOL. The work in the lower primary school went on steadily during the year under the supervision of Mr. J. Minz. The number of atudents was 129. Visits were paid by the District Inspector of schools, the Deputy Inspector, the Special Santal Inspector and the Sub-Inspectors who ha ve expressed their satisfaction with the work done. HOSTEL. Approximately 200 boys were living in the hostel of whom 46 joined the war-service during the year. The Rchool Band and Scouts attended the Provincial Scout Rally at Hatwa in February invited by E. R J. R. Cousins, C. I. E.. I. C. S., Advisor to His Excellency the Governor, who paid the expenses. On the way to the Rally the Band was required to play at Chupra at a garden party arranged by the town in honour of His Excellency, the Governor of Bihar. At this occasion the Deputy Commissioner of Dumka very kindly helped us to provide scout clothes for the boys, for which we are very thankful. SCHOOJ.I-DISPENSAR Y. We have had very little illness amongst the boys in the hostel. With the exception of Malaria and colds, we have had only 2 serious cases. One of our big boys came back to school after Christmas with a hard attack of dysentery. He djed 2 weeks after coming here. Another big boy got Typhoid fever and died after his father had taken him home. We are thankful that we only ha.d that one case of Typhoid fever in the hostel. Some Medical Officers have visited our school during the year. Dr. K. Mitra, Officer-in-charge of Nutrition SCheme. Patna, came together with Dr. Bagchi, Medical Advi~ol" B

110 10 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. in Santal Parganas. Dr. Mitra very kindly took some yeast along with him to Pa.tna for scientific examination. We had started to give the boys yeast which we made ourselves. The boys very easily get mouth-sores, and we found out that our yeast mixture cured them. Dr. Mitra is experimenting with the yeast with good results. We are thankful for Dr. Mitra's very valuable help and interest in this experiment. Then the School Medical Officer visited us and was satisfied with the health of the boys. Dr. Chatterjee from Benagaria came and examined all the I3chool boys, the staff. and people in the compound. Durillg the year we have sent a few boys for different treatments to Benagaria Hospital. We thank Dr. E. Ostergaard for supervising our dispensary work. We have a very small supply of medicine and we are not able to help the district people with medicine as we in former years have done and also now would like to do. We are encouraged to hear that some non-christian boys from our school have been baptized in their own villages during this Christmas vacation and also that old Kaerabani boys now serving their country ask for baptisnl. May God bless our school and the many boys. JoBS KROHN. DUMKA DISTRICT. The regular Sunday Services in the Santali language here at the station and at Ranga, Chukapani and Dum have drawn the community together for worship throughout the year. And equally regularly have the women on the compound a.nd sometimes from nearby places had their special prayer meeting on Thursday. In all congregations the 'cuput canda' collected by the women has been a help towards new faith and hope, and we pray that this form of sacrifice for the Lord's work may more and more come into practice in every Christian home. Three times we have had 'United Services' in three different languages in connection with some public function. Once ad English Major took one part and at another time an Anglican

111 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 11 pa.stor. The collections at these ser.ices have been for the Red Cross or the Midnapore Relief Fund. The workers have been the same throughout the year. Karan Pastor was selected for the special service of visiting the several Santal Labour Companies he!"e in India, but correspondence with the authorities did not reach any conclusion during the year. He made only one trip, at Christmas time. to the Asansol Observer Corps. The two Pastors with the Santal Labour Companies Overseas have reported about their service in far off and strange countries. They have been of good help to their units in many ways. Sixteen persons have been baptised. and their names have been entered in the Dumka Register. Rs. 54/- for the 'Jubili' canda' has also been received from them. The 3 L. P. schools have carried on as in previous years. A great day for all the school children was the Mela here in November when young and old united to give a helping hand. The children's sports cheered us all, and their singing also was of great help. We are also very thankful for the 3 days when the 'Helmel Sabha' meeting was held here in the beginning of March. Confirmation classes for girls held here during the hot season brought us ill closer connection with wany of our friends in the villages, and g~ve us a time of blessing and fellowship An old hymn of two verses came back to us renewed from this younger generation: Probhu sarhaoe mabon I' (Lover herren, han er n~r I) The reports from Dumka. Ranga, Chukapani, Dum. show 21 baptized from the non-christian community a.nd 16 children of Christian pa.rents. Church offerings amounted to Rs. 252/11- Womens' collections Rs. 76/3--; and Mela Rs. 46/7/7t, total Ra. 375/5/74. INGRID & JOHANNES GAUSDAL

112 i2 THE S.ANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES DUMKA BENGALI WORK. During the year 1942 four children of Christian parents a.nd tw.o hea.then were baptized in the Dangalpara Bengali congrf3gation One family is 'coming near' and is reading the Bible at home, but has not as yet attended church services. A few Christians from other parts of India find work here in Dumka at times, and when they find opportunity they attend Sunday services here. One such family had also a child baptized ~ere by me. My wife makes visits to the homes of the Christian families and asks them to give 'cuput canda' for the work of our Lord. Extracts from the report by Dhononjoy Jha. KOROYA: KOROYA MISSION AND ORPHANAGE. 'A year has passed and we can truly say, IIGod has not failed us, but has helped us day by day," for which we praise and thank Him. Still it seems to have been a rather dull year in our work heret-in the congregation as well as in the school. The Pastor and two Bible Women have carried on their work a.s usual. We have been out camping both here around Ko~oya and in the Majdiha area. N one has been baptized from amo~g the heathen. We were very thankful for a week's Bible class for women during the hot season. They seemed to be touched by the word of God. And we have throughout the yea.r had our weekly Bible-reading-mostly for the workers. Also pra.yer meeting for all who wish to attend. as well as Sunday School. ORPHANAGE. In the Orphanage there are at present 17 children. One boy finished his Teacher's Training and will be appointed at Majdiha. One passed his M. E. examination and will be entering training as a Compounder at the Benagaria Hospital. The two

113 SEVEN'rY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 13 boys who started in the Industrial School have left and joined the Observer Corps. One girls has married. Two small girls have been admitted, but one died after 3 weeks. We have had soole sickness during the year. SCHOOL. The teaching staff of four has carried on the work more or less as usual. I think they have at times felt it a bit hard and dull. Of the enrollment of 67 the average attendance has been 52. Two passed their U. P. examination. MAJDIHA The work there has during the greater part of the yea.r been carried on by the Pastor and two evengelists as the third went into war service. Nine have been baptized from among the heathen. The school there is progressing. We had a 5th cla.ss this year with 4 boys. One passed his U. P. examination. Of the enrollment of 57 the average attendance has been 39. At the close of this year our heart-felt praise and thanks go to God and to faithful friends for prayer and help in the days passed. LAURA LOHNE. MAHARO DISTRICT. In many ways it has been a hard year for the mission workers with the cut salaries and the rising prices on everything. Of course. these two things do not go well together. They have not complained but we know-their difficulties. They will get full salaries this year for which we are very thankful. We have had very few workers this year. Here at Maharo itself Pastor Ruben Murmu has had Ladhea as his only helper. Mirja is alone at Jalwae. At Dumburia thl!y are two, Pastor Johon Murmn and Bhator, but Assanthor was without an elder most of the year as J agadish was transferred to his home near Kaerabani. The te~cher. Dhanai, had to bear the burden of being alone there with some help from outside for the SundRY services. He will be the elder from now on, and a new teacher will take the aahool work. Mongol died.

114 14 THE santal MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHEs. In the beginning of the year we went out camping, but this cold season, at the end of the year, we did not feel it wise to get out in tents. Besides, the pastor's wife has been ill and very weak the whole year, so that Pastor Ruben could not leave her for many days. N ow he has brought her to the hospital. Noha is our Biblewoman and Kolean has been helping her also this year. I am sorry to say that my feeling at the close of the year is this,-that we ha ve been more or less occupied and busy trying to secure for others and for ourselves every day neces. sities which has been a problem for us all. But we have all received our needs until today for which we are most grateful. We have not been out as much as we out to, perhaps, but we nave been visiting the Christians round about in the villages and have also kept up the weekly meetings there. This keeps us in contact with most of the Christians, though they are not too eager to attend. I am sorry to say. The Sunday services are fairly well attended. Ten girls were here for three weeks to be prepared for confirmation and were all confirmed. Almost all our boys left us to help in war work some where inside or outside the country. There are only a few of our boys and younger men left in the congregation which is felt in many ways, and people's thoughts are very much occupied with the~e things. But having said all this, 1 want to emphasize that we ought to be, and are very, very thankful that it has been possible at all to continue the work. We have had no real disturbances. We are not hindered directly, but indireotly as the minds of all are filled with the happenings both in the country and farther away in the world. May these things. teach us and may we experience Phil. 4: 6-7-"ln nothing be anxious; hut in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." To help people to attain that, that is why..are here. we. DINA NIELSEN

115 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. is MAHARO GIRLS' M. E. AND TRAINING SCHOOL. "We have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which hope we have as an anchor of the Boul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil " Bebr. 6, In the year passed the a bove written word has often been a great help. To hope for better things, for better days to come, is a great help. And especially the Christian hope, which lifts us up and places us right-within the veil. where.jesus is-what would we do without it? And so we have worked on, hoping and praying, and God ha.s been faithful and stood by our side in these d!lrk and difficult days. We started the year with 232 girls (there were a few boys also among them) on the roll. In the M i.ddle school there were 187; in the Training class 25; and in the Practical class 20 girls. Twenty girls from the Practical class and also a few other girls did not return after the summer holiday_ so we ended the year with 218 girls on the roll. The result of the Middle school examination was not so good this year. Out of 22 girls 8 failed. Of those who passed two obtained distinction in arithmetic and one passed with honour. The result of the annual examination was good. Out of 156 pupils only 6 failed. From the Training class 12 girls appeared at the Junior and one at the Senior Teacher's certifica.te examina.tion. The result is not yet known. We have had two additions to the staff, Misses Esther Jha (Senior trained) and Martha Marndi. One of our teachers got one year's leave in order to take Senior Training at Deoghar Tra.ining School. By the time this is written she will be back with us again. We want to express our gratitude to our teachers who have in so many wa.ys taken extra burdenli in order to help. There was rather much illness among the girls last year. To our great sorrow 2 girls died. One of them was reported ill one afternoon a.nd died the next morning. It was

116 16 THE SANtAL M1SSION' oj THE N()R'l'ItER~ ctttfrcttts. a great shock to us, but also a warning from God to be ready when- He calls us. On the 1st of November 22 girls were confirmed. I always count it a great privilege to prepare the girllil for confirmation. May God bless and keep them true to Himself. As in the previous year the girls have done all the work in the cottages themselves except cooking the midday meal. As a whole, they have done their work well. We have continued our Sunday morning prayer meeting and also our monthly Litght Bearer meeting. Every Thursday afternoon the teachers gather for Bible reading and prayer. We have felt the Holy Spirit working among us in the pa.st year and have had the joy of seeing some of the girls giving their hearts to God. We praise Him for it. We are thankful that we have been able to carryon the work. We know that our friends at home, even if we do not hear from them, stand by us and help us. We are also very thankful to our friends in America for their faithfulness and we also wish to thank the Scotch Mission for the great help t hey are gi ving us. NANCY DIESEN. MOHULPAHARI DISTRICT. The year 1942 will go down in history as a dismal year of war-the whole world under fire, so to speak. Desolated homes, fleeing multitudes, millions of liberty-loving people under the yoke of the enemy, life in prisons and concentration camps; that is the picture of 1942 for very many. A year that no one has a desire to live over again. But in spite of all this, we here on the mission field were permitted to carry on our work uninterrupted. Our Sunday services, our schools, our work among the suffering, all was carried on as usual. Again a fresh token of God's boundless mercy. When we look back, we cannot report any special advance this year; only two non-christians have b~en baptized. And regarding many Christians it must be said that they are far behind.

117 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 17 The struggle for existence is pressing; to ~eek the kingdom of God and his righteousness comes second for so many. During the year many of our young men have joined the Labour Corps and some have gone to do road work in Assam. May they live as Christians wherever they are stationed 1 And the Lord of the fold alone knows about the victories and defeats of the individual, whether they occured openly or in secret. May His mercy toward us not have been in vain I Our 75 years' jubilee day became chiefly a day of thanksgiving for the Santali Bible, the greatest treasure and best inheritance of the Santal people. May it in truth become a lamp unto the feet and a light unto the path, guidance for the life in home and congregation! The Mission sale ( mela) on Dec. 19th caused considerable interest and became a day of joy for large and ~mall. The result wa.s above our expectation since this was our first venture. In our two schools the same staff of teachers has carried on the work. Change of prescribed books for the year caused BOIIle confusion which had its influence on the examination results. One encouragement for children and teachers was that one boy in class V received a scholarship. We would like to see more children of Christians come to our schools. Many suffering people have this year also received help at our dispensary, though it if; sometimes difficult to secure medicine. People have willingly paid for medicine. May the seed sown result in victory over sin and in the expansion of God's kingdom among us 1 With greetings and thanks to all who have stood by us in prayer and with gifts. EDLE SIGURDSEN. TILABANI, KARIKADOR AND DHOROMPUR. Looking back upon the year 1942 we have no great figures to record. It was a stormy year that brought changes in many ways, but seen now from the distance we feel that, after all, many things worked for the good. The lukewarm minds were stirred &nd we were given a better opportunity to bring them the gospel. C

118 18 HTE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CliURCHES. In Tilabani, besides the ordinary village and congregational work, some efforts have been made to help the fallen over to their feet again. The hopes we felt at the beginning of the year faded away. but now in the new yea.r we have been encouraged by seeing God's work of rebuilding amongrt us. There are especially families that we hope are sincere in their determination to live a more true Christian life and we trust that they shall not disappoint us. In orier to strengthen their spiritual life the workers of the three districts, the preachers as well as the teachers. have met together at Tilabani twice a month. For to be stationed alone at a difficult outpost may discourage the ablest one. At Hirapur we have been encouraged to notice an awakening amongst the boys who have left the school. Three of them received baptism, while some who had almost decided to join the congregation drew back because of pressure from outside. We feel that in the coming days more boys may take their stand for Christ if we only concentrate our energies whole heartedly on the work at this promising place. We need a preacher there. The school attendance IS \'ery good. At Bagjobda where Mongla Mahasoe is stationed the school has been closed down and he is working as a preacher there besides conducting meetings each Sunday at Lotabani. As to the work jn the Dhorompur district., we do not feel that the congregational work is going as it should., Women's meetings and Sunday School have been discontinued. But the workers over there have had the encouragement of teaching and baptizing 3 familip~ from Kolha village, some 3 miles S. E. of Dhorompur, and now it ~eem~ a~ if others will join them. At Karikador Anpa Tudu has taken the place of Ruben. Two families have been baptized and they expect more to follow them. May God revive His work amongr;;t us to His own glory! ASTA & P. PEDERSEN.

119 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 19 CHONDORPURA DISTRICT. There is nothing of outstanding importance to report, but we are thankful to God that it has been possible to carry on the work very much as before. In March pastor Galu Soren was transferred from Haripur and placed here in Chondorpura. In January a young man, Joseph Marndi from Bhalsungia, was taken in as elder on probation in Tarni, and the teacher Ramchoron Murmu was moved to Gadiapani. By the end of the year Bhim Marndi was transferred from Mnsnia and put in charge of Amgachi congregation after Barka Marndi, who in July joined the Indian Labour Co. At the beginning of the year the teacher, Bariar Murmu, was placed here in Chondorpura with the special task of organizing and ~upervising ad ult literacy classes, and 6 such classes were started in different villages with about 60 pupils, of which 30 completed the chart and the first reader. But in August Bariar left us and entered the observation Corps of the Air Force and we have not as yet found anyone to follow up the good start which he made. The rest of the staff '~;ere the same as before, and by the end of the year they were placed as follows:- Ra'lga: Pastor Chaku Tudu Elder Raja Marndi Teacher John Hasdak' Clzo/orcua : Teacher Sorkar Murmu GadiafJani : Elder Bhaero M urmu Teacher Ramchoron M urmu Tar"i: Pastor Tika M urm u Elder Joseph Murmu Elder Joseph Marndi Cirapatlim- : Elder Singrai Murmu Teacher Paul Murmu Amg aclzi : Elder Raja Marndi Elder Gopal Soren Palldaflpahri : Elder Ronjon Murmu Bhitra: Elder Munsi Murmu CllondorfJura : Pastor Galu Soren Elder Chunu Murmu Teacher Barnabas Marndi " Porimola Hembrom

120 20 THE SANTAL MISSION OF 'THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. During the last two years pastor Tika M urmu has heen ill much of the time and has had to stay part of the time in hifl home at Cirapathor. It has therefo:re been decided by the congregational committee that Chunu Murmu is to move over to Tarni in January. A few more than last year have been added to the flock of believers and the congregational reports show that baptisms have been performed in all of the 9 congregations of the district. This seems to indicate a healthy increase all over. There is in every congregation a nucleus of faithful followers of Christ who regularly attend the Sunday services, but on the other hand it must be admitted that there are many backsliders. The church attendance has been about the same as before. In the hot season a confirmation class for young men was held, but I am sorry to say t.hat only very few attended. It has proved to be difficult to get the women out to the monthly meetings in the compound, so during the la:tter part of the year we have tried to ha ve weekly meetings for women and others alternatively in the nearby villages, and at these meetings the attendance has been very good. We have also tried to revive an old practice of gathering the new converts and illiterate church members once a week in the different congregations for further instruction in Christian knowledge. The most suitable time was found to be on Sunday just a.fter the service, and the interest in these Sunday schools for adults seems to be growing. In order to help and try to inspire the workers to more zealous service we have endeavoured to make as much out of the monthly meetings as possible. In this pastor Kalu Kisku has been giving valuable help by lecturing and otherwise taking an active part in the meetings. A three 'weeks' Bible course was planned to be held in Chondorpura during the rains but owing to the tense situation it was not advisiable to call the workers away from their different places at that time. Now we are looking forward to opening a short refresher course for the workers in S. P. during the coming hot Beason.

121 SEYENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 21 The work in the five L. P. schools has been carried on as usual. There has, however, beel;) a slight decrease in the average attendance. There are still many even among the Ohristians, who do not really see any advantage in sending their children to a Christian school. In spite of all that was left undone or might have been done better, we believe that labour of this year also will bring forth abiding fruit. I To all friends and intercessors we extend our sincere thanks. A. E. STRONS'fAD. THE DIVINITY SCHOOL. This report covers only the first half of the year because the three years' course was completed in May. The students and the staff were the same as last year. Kalu Kisku took as usual an equal share with me in teaching the students. The last months were a busy time and all did their best, studyjng diligently and cheerfully. Just at the beginning of the term one of the student-families, Jatu and his wife. had the sad experience that their eldest son died from dysentery. It wa~ a hard blow to the parents, who had hoped to see their son pass his M. E. by the end of the year. Amongst the other students and their families we ha.d no serious illness. Our study was continued much as the previgus years. In the New Test. we have gone through the remaining chapters of St. Matthew, the Galatians and I. Timothy, and continued the cursory reading of St. John and II. Timothy. In the Old Test. we studied the introduction to the different books, toge.ther with a cursory reading of selected Psalms and parts of the writings of the prophets. Lectures were aho given in Dogmatics, homiletics, English and song. Rev. Gausdal very kindly ga.ve a series of interesting lectures on the history of our Mission and Ohurch. In history of religions we continued the study of Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism, the lectures being in outline based on Macnicol's tithe living religions of the Indian people.,t

122 22 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. A few hours we:re spent on liturgy and teaching the students how to keep accounts and Gongregational returns. J oh. Johansen Esqr. gave an illuminating lecture on "The Church year." The students have regularly in turn conducted Sunday services in the churches of the district Daily morning devotions were as usual conducted in turn by the students and staff and the weekly prayer meetings were entirely in the hands of the students th~mselves. A \ spirit of real Christian fellowship has always been felt at these quiet meetings on Sunday afternoon. The final examination was held in May, and Rev. Gausdal together with pastor Mongol Hembroll1 were censors. The result was that only one student passed in I division. 9 in II div. and 3 in III div. But all passed and these are the names of the graduates who were granted the Diploma of the Divinity School; in parenthesis is added the area where they have been appointed to work. Abraham Murmu (Basetkundi) Bhobendro N arjary (Boro field) Bisu Soren (Benagaria) Chaitan Soren (J oema ) Jatu Murmu (Mornai ) J aeram Hasdak' (MaIda) J onaa Hasdak' (MaIda) Mongol Besra (Kaerabani) Munsi Murmu (Dinajpnr) Ranglal Kisku ( Santipara ) Ruben Murmu (Darrang) Salhae Marndi (Saldoha) Tarini Iswary (Boro field) The class for the wive~ of the ~tudentfl was carried on as usual by Chundki Hasdak' and Mrs. Stronstad. Four time~ a week they continued with Bible reading, catechism. writing, arithmatic, sewing and song. The visits to the nearby village homes were kept up and once a week the wives took turns in teaching a confirmation class for girls. It is not easy to concentrate on any study in addition to doing the house work and looking after their children but all did what they could a.nd some of them made really good progress during the three years they stayed here. Both students and staff were very grateful that the time of study Was extended for anothe:r half year, thus making a complete 3 years' course. N ow the student~ are already at

123 work in different pla.ces and we do hope that the training they got may in some degree have contributed to make them suitable instruments in the hands of the Lord to extend His kingdom amongst their brethren. It was a great joy on the concluding day, 27th May. to have with us as visitors the S. P. Church Council. On the same day one of the graduates, Bhobendro N arjary. was ordained in Chondorpura church by our Secretary, Rev.. J. Gausdal. We regret to report that the school has been temporarily closed because of the war situation and we earnestly hope that it in the neal' future may be possible to welcome a new batch of students, for "the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few," ALVHILD & A. E. STRONS'l'AD. SALDOHA LEPER COLONY & SALDOHA DISTRICT. It is nothing short of a wonder that we have come through the year under review with the work intact and on the same scale as before. The thought uppermost in our minds now at the close of the year is therefore a note of praise and thanksgiving to God for His providing care. "The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail. aecording to the word of the Lord." We have also this year had the colony filled to its capacity and many have been turned down on aecount of lack of accomodation. 483 lepers were treated as inmates in the colony and 280 as out-door patients. To meet all these disease-ridden people, to hear them clamour for admittance, and in many cases send them away disappointed is one of the hard parts of the work here. Preference has been given to infectious cases or patients in need of nursing. DU!'ing the year we have had the satisfaction of sending home 18 patients symptomfree and 77 as improved cases. A new ward with accomodation for 12 patients has been constructed a.1so this yea.r. It ha.s been built entirely by the

124 24 THE SANTAL MlBSION OF THE NORTB:1tRN CItUROti1l]S. inmates of the colony, buildi.ng expenses being met by a direct grant from Government. Our industrial school is of great value especially when tasks as housebuilding are undertaken. From the weaving section of the school we have received bedsheets, towels etc. for hospital and dispensary use. Occupational therapy is stressed and new land has also this year been prepared for cultivation. One big piece of land has been broken up and added to our vegetable gardens and as it is within reach of our irrigation scheme it gives promise of rich reward for the hard work necessary to cultivate it. Besides our U. P. school for boys and L. P. school for girls, adult classes both for men and women are carried on and it is encouraging to see how many avail themselves of this opportunity to learn to read. It has been a great joy to share in the spiritual fellowship with the patients. A Sunday morning service with the lepers is always an encouragement. Besides these ordinary church services, Bible classes, prayer meetings etc. are some of the ways in which the spiritual life of the patients expresses itself. 23 have been received into the Christian community I by baptism. Some of these have really suffered in order to become Christians ha ving been ostracised from faimily and relatives, but still they have persevered. We have felt the Spirit of God move especially amongst the Bengali-speaking patients and several of them have been baptised. Among them is a woman who has been in the colony from the very start. Ruben Pastor ha~ continued to carryon the work in the diztrict, besides being the pastor of the colony. In July he received a helper in the work, as Salhae Marndi, a graduate from the Bible School, was appointed to Saldoha. At the close of the year several families in nearby villages are under instruction for baptism. The schools in the district, both the U. P. school and the four other L. P. schools, have gone on as usual. We would like to see the U P. section of our school here strengthened ~nd & keener interest on the part of the villagers,

125 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 25 The Sunday school is giving great encouragement. It has continued under the supervision of Miss Pedersen and the interest is clearly growing. At our out-station, Musnia, we have this year had several baptisms. 8 heathens have by baptism joined the Christian community. The school down there is going well. At the close of the year, Bhim Marndi, who for anum ber of years has served in this district, both here at Saldoha and at Musnia, was transferred to Condorpura district and Gobind Marndi. the head teacher in our U. P. school, was sent to Musnia as elder. * * * * We are increasingly feeling the pressure of the present world situation ~nd the coming year may see some unavoidable retrenchment in the work of the colony, Prices of foodstuffs are soaring, already double of pre-war rates, and the necessary medicines etc. are difficult to obtain. We go forward however into the new year with courage and confidence knowing that "God is still on the throne and He will remember His own." JOH. JOHANSEN. "PERA HOR." At the close of the year the impression of "Pera Hor" is During the year under review there has been a steady increase in the number of subscribers and it has been a great pleasure to the editors to h:1ve the paper dispatched to an ever-widening circle of readers. Among these new subscribers not a few have been Santals enlisted in the Labour Corps and Auxiliary Forces serving in different parts of India and even overseas In amongst the sand dunes of the Lybian Desert and into the wild jungle tracts on India's eastern borders Pera Hor pays its regular Visits, and encouraging words of appreciation have been received from Santals serving in these places. :p

126 26 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. We would however like to exploit further this particular opening and we hope during the next year to be able to a greater extent to enlist the interest of all Santals spread over India with His Majesty's forces. It should not be a question of economy with the recruits as it so often is with many ordinary village people. Newspapers in general are experiencing very difficult times. Paper prices are soaring and there is a dearth in the paper market at present. We are fortunate in having secured a supply of paper sufficient to go round for 1943, but we have had to raise subscription rates in order to make both ends meet. In fact we are closing this year with a considerable deficit. N ow and again we receive letters from Santals requesting us to send Pera Hor every week. It may seem a truism to repeat here this demand for a more frequent appearance of the paper. It is nevertheless recorded for sympathetic consideration We hear a lot these days about post-war planning, and "blue-prints" are prepared. This particular request should in the opinion of the writer of this report find a place in the post-war planning of the Mission. It would accord with the view of the Tambaram Conference, which in one of its resolution on literature says: "The establishment of first-class Christian newspapers must be seriously considered." N unku Soren has continued to take a good share of the work also this year and he deserves compliments for his unflagging intereht and untiring efforts on behalf of the paper subscribers is our temporary goal. With the co-operation of missionaries and nationals alike it should be possible to swell the ranks of the subscribers to this extent during We thank everybody beforehand for whole-hearted cooperation. JOH. JOHANSEN.

127 ,- SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 27 BASETKUNDI DISTRICT. The year has been an average one with no great events to speak of. and no gr~at changes have taken place in the regular work. The staff of elders, teachers and pastors is about the same. Thi~ district is still an open field in every way for the extension of the Kingdom. But when reviewing the results of the evangelistic efforts and the work as a whole during the year, it is not at all encouraging. One of the reasons for this is no doubt the want of regular Bible courses for the workers. Special refresher courses for the teachers also seem to be most necessary, if many of the village schools are to be worthwhile running at all. The number of baptisms from the heathens are 41. And collections made by the congregations come to Rs t, the women's contribution included. Regarding WOftfEN'S 1-f/ORK Outstation reports show the sad fact that in most of the congregations this work has not been taken up or cared for. The work done -by three Bible women in the district seems to be occasional visits only to the surrounding Christians. Here in the Basetkundi area regular meetings have been held in the villages. The CONFIRMATiON CLASS WORK has this year been carried out in each congregation separately. 37 youths have thus passed through a Bible-teaching course conducted by the pastors and elders. To realise a "Confirmation School" here at the centre, which is no doubt the ideal, has proved very hard. To make those attendjng bring their own food, or even part of it, seems a most difficult task, the silent protest being recognizd even within some of the co-workers. We are still trying for some suocess in this effort. In the VI L.LAGE SCHOOLS we have been confronted with some sad cases of dishonesty among the teachers for which we think they are not to be blamed too much after all, they are, at least in this vast distriot. left too much to themselves without regular control and encouragement by visits, and through

128 28 THE SANTAL MISSIO~ OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. courses and gatherings inspirational. No school inspectors have appeared to visit the school work. (Govt. officials, except for the Police, scarcely take pains even to cross this part of the country). In the district seven L. P. schools have been conducted. The U. P. Boarding School here in the compound seems promising and is a challenge to put more energy into the educauonalline of work. The new boarding-house was completed in May in spite of financial difficulties. We are sorry to state that the Adult Lit. Campaign which proved very promising last year seems to have come to a finish in every centre. Efforts were made to change over from the basis of Govt. support-this promise failed-to the voluntary basis. This caused great disappointment to the workers engaged. They gradually drew back. To train our Christian Santals for voluntary work is a tremendous task, which of course should not be given up because of failures and trying experiences. In spite of the condition~ as a whole which are not too bright for the Christian Church in this area either, may the Lord give courage to keep on and believe. With thanks to all known and unknown friends doing their bit for the realisation of this. ASTRID, HALFDAN, EINAR KIPPENES. BENAGARIA DISTRICT. I' Bless tke Lord, 0 my soul and forget not all his benefits" p~. 103, 2. Seventyfive years ago the pioneers a.fter itinerating far and wide through the country came to this place where an inner voice said: "... I will give this land".-a heap of stones was raised on an open field. The Lord was besought to bless the work and the place was called "Ebenezer." If the first witnesses from beyond the veil can follow and know what the Lord has been doing during these seventyfive years it certainly will enrich their praises to the Lamb slain

129 SEVENTY-SIX'l'H ANNUAL REPORT. 29 for the sins of the world. Ebenezer has grown up to be a big mission station with many buildings and activities, and best of all a large Christian congregation. True enough, many of the Ohristians do not live according to their high calling, nevertheless the Lord has created a congregation with many true Christians whose names are in the Book of Life. A big celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary with delegates from a larger area of our mission fields had to be abandoned on account of difficulties of travelling and arrangements during the present war situation. But members from all our outstations joined us at Ebenezer where we had a festival day in memory of what blessings have come to the people through the Gospel of Jesus Christ during these 75 years. In the middle of July we had a very much appreciated visit by three missionaries from China, Rev. Palmer Anderson, Rev. H. W. Bly and Dr. Gustav Guldseth of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, on their way horoe on furlough. The last stage of the journey they had com e by aeroplane from Chunking to Calcutta from where they sent a wire, followed up by the1l!selves in person, arriving on Saturday afternoon at Benagaria. We made full use of them on Sunday. A.s a breath of fresh air on a hot day and a living testimony from the congregation in China they told us how the Lord had done great things for them there. Their testimonies went to the heart of everybody. After only a couple of days we had to wish them God-speed on their way homewards and commend them to His care while continuing their journey in these dangerous times. A.s this is written we are glad to know" they have reached their destination, met their dear ones and also brought a greeting from Ebenezer to the Seventy-fifth year jubilee at home. OONGREGATIONAL WORK. During the year just gone by we have often felt our work as a hard task with little respond. We have had fewer baptisms than the previous year. A poor crop,!-lcarcity of food with high prices with the general influence of war situation has made it difficult to reach the heart of the people with the Gospel.

130 30 THE SANT.A.L MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. The construction of a new airfield in the middle of our district has taken the larger portion of the working people to that place for weeks and months to earn their living. While this has granted many poor people a good opportunity to find the where. withal. it has made our task difficult in many ways. The Lord, however, has not left Himself without testimony but given us encouragements and we know that His promises hold good even when the field we are working on sometimes seems hard and dry. Just as this is being written we have several young people who have asked for baptism-showing that this year has c3.rried them to the point where they have made their decision for Christ. The staff has had a few changes. Pastor luongol Hembrom with family has moved from Benagaria to Jithia outstation for the purpose of attempting to do something for the many Santals of the big area just outside our district. There is an urgent call to try to reach these people with the Gospel as nobody is doing anything for them at present. Pastor Sodanondo Baske and family have come from Beldanga to Benagaria. Elder Peter lifufmu and family have gone to Beldanga where his wife works as a Bible woman. Elder Josepll, MltrmU, whose wife died about a year ago, has moved to N arayanpur. PremaflOlldo Baske, previously elder at Gamarpahri, has joined the Observation Corps at AsansoJ, where we hope 'he will be of some Christian help to the many young recruits. Khela Kisku has stopped working as paid elder. In his place D:zsmath Hembrom is now elder in Belbuni. As Bel buni outstation is situated in the middle of the new airfield we shall have to abandon it very soon and find a new site for an outstation for that area.. SCHOOLS. The U. P. SCHOOL at Benagl:l.ria has continued as previously. There are 7 teachers at present and 151 pupils. At the end of the year 143 appeared for examinatiun, 110 passed and wer promoted. One boy obtain"ed Government scholarship. We ar thankful for a grant of Rs. 60/- per month by the District Board. The VILLAGE SCHOOLS have had a hard time at present a.in some places nearly the whole village population has god

131 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 31 out to find work in the off season. From every village a number of people are working as coolies on the new airfield at Belbuni. That affects the school work very much and keeps a number of children away from school for long periods. We hope to be able to do better in the future. A t the end of the year there are 13 teachers working in 11- village schools with about 240 pupils. The INDUS'rRIAL SCHOOL has been most vitally affected by recruiting of Santals to different military units. U pto the time of writing 15 haye gone to Labour Batallion or Observation Corps. New stu.dents have come. But they soon find out that we can offer much less than military units. Still we have had a number applying for admittance and been able to carry on somehow. For the last months of the year the Carpentry section has been engaged in building activities on the new airfield. The Weaving section. has had a demand for cloth as never before in the history of the school. Although the financial side of the work has been difficult at times, we are able to close the accounts with a small balance. \ We acknowledge with thanks receipt of Government g"ant of Rs. 2800/- for the year and Rs. 100/- for raw materia1s by the Commissioner of Bhagalpur. We tender our thanks to the District Board for a gnlnt of Rs. 8/- per month for Evening School for labourers. THE PRINTING PRESS & BOOKSALES DEPT. The work in the printing press has been carried on nearly as usua.l as in previous years without any serious inconveniences being experienced on account of the abnormal increase in price and scarcity of paper a.nd of other printing materials. In some cases orders have had to be curtailed a bit in order to conserve QUI' limited stock of paper. We were, however, fortunate in being able to secure a quantity of paper in December at what would seem now to be very reasonable prices. This we hope would be of some help to us in printing at least a few of the needed book~ in the waiting list of the two Literature Committees during next year. Prices of paper etc. have since doubled or even tripled and the supply is very limited.

132 32 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Besides the regular issues of the periodicals, "Pera Hor" in Santali and "Bongo-Bondhu" in Bengali, a few books for the mission and for individuals were printed and the.amount of other smaller works has been nearly the same as in other years. Some printing materials and equipment from the closeddown Scotch Mission press at Pokhuria (reported last year) were brought over during the year and are proving useful to us. We offer aga.in our hea.rtiest thanks and gratitude to the Church of Scotland Santal Mission for making these available to us and especially to Rev. Davidson of Pachamba and Mr. Joseph Hasdak' of Pokhuria who took time and considerable trouble to transport them to us safely and in good condition. Business in the BOOK-SALES dept. has been fairly normal and the income on sales at the end of the year amounted to Rs. 1286/1/9 (Statement of accounts appended in the Accounts Appendices'. A grant of Rs from the Mission was received. Excepting one or two small items publications during the year have consisted mostly of reprints only of a few needed books the stock of ~hich had been exhausted. Reprints and publications of a few other books were deferred in consideration of the difficulties of paper etc. We hope. however. to be able to obtain the necessary paper for publication of a few more books in ZEMINDARY: All work in connection with the Zemindary estate has gone on as well as possible and the rent collections for the yea,r have been slightly better than those of previous years. For a more detailed account please refer to the statement of account under the head of "Indian Horne Mission Zemindary Estate", In closing we send our greetings to all our friends who have remembered us in prayer and supplication and made it possible for us to carryon the work. LOLLY & K. TROMBORG.

133 32 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHUROHES. Besides the regular issues of the periodicals, "Pera Hor" in Santali and "Bongo-Bondhu" in Bengali, a few books for the mission and for individuals were printed and the.amount of other smaller works has been nearly the same as in other years. Some printing materials and equipment from the closeddown Scotch Mission press at Pokhuria (reported last year) were brought over during the year and are proving useful to us. We offer again our heartiest thanks and gratitude to the Church of Scotland Santal Mission for making ~hese available to us and especially to Rev. Davidson of Pachamba and Mr. Joseph Hasdak' of Pokhuria who took time and considerable trouble to transport them to us safely and in good condition. Business in the BOOK-SALES dept. has been fairly normal and the income on sales at the end of the year amounted to Rs. 1286/1/9 (Statement of accounts appended in the Accounts Appendices). A grant of Rs from the Mission was received. Excepting one or two small items publications during the year have consisted mostly of reprints only of a few needed books I the stock of which had been exhausted. Reprints and publi. cations of a few other books were deferred in consideration of the difficulties of paper etc. We hope. however, to be able to obtain the necessary paper for publicat.ion of a few IDore books in ZEMINDARY: All work in connection with the Zemindary estate has gone on as well as possible and the rent collections for the year have been slightly better than those of previous years. For a more detailed account please refer to the statement of account under the head of "Indian Home Mission Zemindary Estate", In closing we send our greetings to all our friends who have remembered us in prayer and supplication and made it possible for us to carryon the work. LOLLY & K. TROMBORG.

134 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 33 BENAGARIA CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL. During the year that has just come to an end there has been no radical change in our ordinary plan of work. The effects of the war has been felt chiefly in the high prices of medicines and the unavailability of some drugs, especially those that are imported, The difficulty in obtaining quinine has caused a great deal of suffering among the people as there is much malaria in this part of the country. but we hope that Governlllent will soon be able to release the amounts necessary to supply this need. One branch of our work merits special mention as it has been enlarged considerably lately. About H years ago we began, at the request of the Civil Surgeon and the Santal Parganas Leprosy Committee, to make a special effort to treat the lepers of this district. Previously we had treated them only casually, giving medicine for inunction to thos; who came, but now we started a more 8ystematic treatment with injections both intramuscular and intra-cutaneous and encouraged the patients to come on speqified days. The result has been extremely satisfactory. Whereas in 1938 the attendance of lepers to our out-patient department numbered only 466 this number had increased to 2,496 in We have now registered 68 lepers who come more or less regularly twice a week for treatment. At present we have under construction a clinic building in one corner of the hospital compound set aside for the lepers only. We have applied to the Bihar Leprosy Relief Committee for aid in the erection of this building and have hopes of receiving a grant for that purpose. Two male nurses finished their three years' course in December. One them has gone back to his horne country, Assam, to work there, and one is still with us. We hope for them that they will become a blessing in their chosen profession. The remainder of their class, which was fairly large in the beginning, were attracted by the lure of adventure and larger sa.lary in the Indian Army and so left us to enlist. A new class of students was accepted during the yef\,r, l!;

135 34 THE SAN TAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. The attendance at the hospital was very good during The out-patients reached the large number of 30,742 and in the in-doors 1110re patients were admitted than during any previous years. The following statistics may be of interest. In-patients Out-patients 30,742. Operations: Major 273, Minor 1141=Total 1414 Confinements: Normal 39, Abnormal 14=Total 53 Eye Glands & Tumors Bone & Joint MAJOR OPERA'l'IONS: Hemmorrhoids Plastic Hernia repair Hydrocele Amputation Filaria scortum 8 Abdominal: Oricdectom y 8 Cystotomy 3 Intestinal Obstruction 3 Gyn. & Obstretical appendectomy 6 Hysterectomy 1 Appendiceal abcess 1 Oopho-salpingectomy 2 Injury abdomen, repair 1 Derm oid cyst 1 Nephrectomy 1 Acute hydramnios 1 Liver abcess 1 Supsension uterus 2 Abcess, abdomen 1 Curretage 11 Ovarian cyst 3 Total 16 Perineorra phy 2 Para-rectal sinus 10 Forceps delivery 2 Podalic version 2 Malaria cases treated in the out-patient department numbered in In addition to the usual annual report it has occurred to me that it might be of interest to many to know something ab~ut the financial side of the hospital accounts. I am therefore giving the following information regarding the budget and expenses,

136 SE~ENTY-FlFTH ANNUAL REPORT. ~5 Expenses for 1942: Re. A. P. Coolies. Upkeep & Repairs: blc0m4 for 1942 : Salaries (not including mil'!sionary Rs. A, P. staff ) From Mission. 8,585 0 Drugs From Govt. 4,000 0 Food Fees from patients I Dressings and sale of Gloves, Catgut & medicine 6, Instruments From Bihar Miscellaneous Leprosy Relief Sheeting. linen Committee 99 0 Kerosine & lamp oil Other sources 96 0 Office 26 2 Balance in hand H o'sp. Ink, chart, Jan. 1, paper, etc Books & Journals 31 0 Total 19,932 o 11 Hosp. requisites Motor car Milk Total 19, Balance in hand Dec. 31, It should be mentioned that the expense for medicines is usually not as great as it was the last year. The increased expense in 1942 was due not only to the higher prices of medicines but to the fact that most companies required cash payment, making all the payments due in the past year instead of being partly carried over into the next. But neither has the income from patients and sale of medicines been quite as large before. It has previously been from Rs. 4,000/. to Rs. 6,000/-. Budget for Expected from Mission: Rs. 8,243/- Expected from patients II 6,000/ Expected from Government., 4,000/ Expected from Bihar Leprosy Relief Committee " 350/.. Total Rs. 18,593/-

137 36 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. The Evangelistic work has been carried on in the usual manner. Just before Christmas Atul Babu with his family returned from N alha.ti. where they had been for 2 years. He will now take up evangelistic work in place of Daniel Babu, who has gone to Narainpur. I wish to extend my thanks for the following grants and donations during the year: Rs. 4,000/- from Bihar Government for hospital maintenence; Rs from Bihar Leprosy 'Relief Committee, and 1 id. quinine from Dept. of Public Health, Ranchi. Most of all we thank God for the wonderful way in which He has been with us in times of difficulty and provided for us, and especially for the privilege of carrying on our work in peace in spite of the chaotic conditions of the world in general. E. OSTERGARD.

138 SUMMARY OF EDUOATIONAL WORK IN BlHAR FOR HIGH MIDDLE UPPER LOWER G. T ; ~ H 1-4 Il!... H.-.04 H ~~ ai ~ t> ~ ~ H > > > ~ H H ; ~ = Il! Q)..:I Q) Q) ~..0 -< C1.I C1.I C1.I C1.I C1.I CD CD CD t1.) (f) :tl 0 s:: C1.I t1.) t1.) -;; ~ ~ C1.I t1.) (3 CD C1.I III C1.I rn rn te III III te = co:i ;tl ~ te eis cd as... cd "H IOil Q).--i s:: 0 ~ C':i ~ G H H ;.. C = tkaerabani Station 14 1'" ~ village schools " IDomka " ". Maharo Sta.tion 1~ village sohools " Koroya-Majdiha Chondorpnra. vill. seh ,Saldoba, schools If> Basetkundi, sohools. 1: :i Mohulpahari, schools ~ 'Tilabani, 80hools Benagat ia, 8chools b jbolrampur, PUl'nea ' 'rotal 11~ , a &

139 SUMMARY OF MEDICAL WORK IN BlHAR FOR INDIAN STAFF IN PATIENTS OUT PATIENTR ril ~ 00 I:: s::l CIS CIS ril I:: Q) "" ~ ~ - ~ Q) ~ - I:: Q) 8 - Q) ~ cs s:l..d "" Q -Q e CIS "" 00 ~~ Q~ co I1J ~ CIS Q) Q '-0.~ IJ..4 k 0 ril 00 ~ 8 tlv, Q)..:! --.:l CIS +> td ~ ~ :;.a "" ~ CIS 'E: Q r1j... ril cd 8 CIS "'0 CIS 'C t:i ~s:l. 8 k ~ ~ Q,..Q o 0.~ s:l.,..q = o 0 '5:; ~ d ~ 0..oZ ~ 0 s:l =a..cz..d ~ 0 ~ 0 Z '=' ~ ~- 0 ~ ::a ~ ~- 0 0 =-" Hostel boys:::. Kaerabani Dispensa.ry Bl fiiJ Lepers. Sa.ldoha { Non-Lepers..-> Bssetknndi Mohulpahat j H BenRgaria Hospital ~ ~ : Total SH ,861 8,179 10,059 6,617 42,792 46,120

140 WORK IN BENGAL NARAINPUR BENGALI WORK. The a wakening among our Christians in 1940 has been followed by an ingathering of new believers, most marked in 1941, but continuing in 1942 also. As we are now grad ually getting the impression that the movement is decreasing in strength we often ask ourselves: "Is it due to an increased opposition from the non-christians, or a weaker spiritual life in our congregations?" Backsliding and quarrelling among some of the Christians seems to indicate that we must go deeper before we can go further. The urgent need of to-day is new power from on High, and we know that God is willing to ghre it in answer to prayer. A new awakening in Saldoha seems to stress this fact. This awakening has been strongest in Saldoha Leper Colony, but has also reached near-by villages. Last year 43 persons from 7 different communities or castes were baptised. The number of Christians in Saldoha Bengali Congregation increased from 32 in 1941 to 80 in Our hope and prayer is that this awakening will reach our other congregations too. Last year Bible-courses were held at Baniapasar, Kusumba and Mohulbona. The attendance was very good and the classes were a real help to both Christian::: and inquirers. The baptisms of the year are as follows :- Congregations From heat/tim Children of Christians Muraroi 4 0 Na1hati 1 0 Rampurhat 1 2 Narainpur 71 4 Benagaria 1 1 Asanbani 14 1 Saldoha 43 1 Tota.l 135 9

141 40 THE SANT.AL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. The Indian workers are the same as before with a few changes. Babu Horipodo Prasad has been tr~nsferred to MaIda. Our new student-preacher, Babu A. K. Biswas has passed 1st senior theological examination and is making good progre-ss both in his studies and the preaching work. A school for Manli boys has been started. We hope that these boys in future will be a help in the work among Mahlis. THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. The number of girls is increasing and class V has been opened. Two girls appeared in the Primary Final Examination and both of them passed in 2nd division. Our new Head-mistresR, Miss P. Patra, has done good work. She has also been in charge of the boarding. We tender our thanks to the District School grants received for the school. Board for With hearty thanks to all friends who remerri:ber also this part of the field'in their prayer. SOLVEIG & SIGFRED JOHANSEN. SURI CONGREGATION. The report by the honorary Secretary is very brief: Mainly looking after local Christians by holding Sunday services. No man to settle disputes. No meetings for the women. No alms collection. Young people are being ready for communion under the training of Rev. Johansen. No attempt has yet been made for any big revival except that of ( Sd) M. NATH. NIMASARAI BENGALI WORK. we have been privileged to finish another year with all its good days and some not so good. One of the best was the 15th May, when we had the joy of baptizing 40 Raibongsies -and the following day 6 more. who could not be present the first day. l.'i!ey live inside the boundaries of Purnea District, In all 9? were baptized during the year, 15 being

142 SEVEN1.'Y-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 41 children of Ohristians. Of the rest 5 belonged to the Rangdhala Sheks, a half-muslim caste. Otherwise all came from the Hindus. Some were Pulis. Some were Paharias. These are nearly as primitive as Santals. We have a small congregation of them inside Dinajpur, where we count them among the Santals. They have their own language (Malto), but most of them ahw understand and use Bengali or Santali or Hindi. Jolzon Sauria, one of them, has been appointed to assist in the work among them. Loss we have also had, some of th08e formerly baptized leaving the congregation. It has been a year with plenty of trouble, many rumours and much agitation. For a time there was a danger that many of the newly baptized might be induced to revert to Hinduism. A man of their own, who was appointed to shepherd them, proved unfaithful and tried to lead them astray. We hope the danger now is over. All necessities now are very expensive, so there are hard times for most people. The rain here this year was very late, but came at last, so the harvest was somewhat better than the previous two years. As a whole the mission work has gone on much as usual, with preaching, book sale and teaching as the main features. Personally I had the same additions to my work as before in visiting Oooch Behar and looking after the Santal work in the North Bengal Districts (and Purnea). Weare not yet through all troubles concerning the Santa I pastors and their congregations, but as a whole I believe conditions have slightly improved, and that there ha!i! been slight progress. Rev. Kippeness and Rev. Pedersen with Kalu pastor came here to assist in SantaIi work by holding a Bible course for about two weeks, continued in a convention at Eklokhi Mission, combined for Santals and Bengalis. For our Bengali workers under training we had courses here twice. During the last one we had a most appreciated visit for some days by John Abdul SuMan, originally a convert of Mr. Steinthal, now professor at Henry Martin School of Islamic Studies. Some of the workers gradually passed some of the prescribed examinations, which are held in co-operation with the f

143 :42 THE SANTALMISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. other two branches of Bengali work in our mission. As usual a meeting for all the workers has been held every month. Also Church Council meetings have taken place regularly when needed - and in the local congregations more or less regular meetings of the congregational committees have been held. The congregations have kept their church buildings in repair somehow and have managed to contribute the pastor's salary for 3 months only. Two new churches were dedicated. One at Potra on the 7th of June, built jointly by Santals and Bengalis and used by both. The other one at Bordigki on the 8th June. a much larger and more lasting building, erected by the local congregation and mainly through the efforts of its leader, Udoy Kaitkwar, in spite of the fact that his 11 houres were burnt down and had to be rebuilt while the church was under construction. A Bengali convention was held at Kkokson. The jubil~e of the mission was celebrated very quietly.. But a booklet of Bengali hymns was published on the occasion, mostly new translations. By the end of the year two tracts were published, one for responsive Bible readings and the other one a ritual for Christian Home FeRtival, both by Miss -1. Malmstrom. The Monthly "Bongo Bondhu" completed its 16 years of existence, a~ a joint undertaking by our various Bengali branches. During the years at least three series of articles from this paper have been published as books by the All Bengal Ohristian Literature Board. During this jubilee year a new series was begun on the History of our Mission (by Miss Malmstrom). Our worker at English Bazar resigned. In his l)lace Stephan HorifJodo Prosad has just arrived. Samuel Nagbongsi died and Upen Kormokar left the work on the death of his wife. Jkumri Ghasi and Kr#a Sonkata have taken their places. Johon Choro'l moved to Sarai. Horku Pramani1e now work at Eklckki. The boys' hostel at Nimasarai continued for both Santals and Bengalis. And we hope to continue this and all other good work as long as God will grant us strength and means for it. H. P. H. KAMPP.

144 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 43 EKLAKHI GIRLS' SCHOOL. At the beginning of the year I had to leave Chandkuri, where I had worked 16 months for the Mission to Lepers. It was hard to leave the big group of children, tainted and untainted, but I am thankful for the time amongst them and the Missionaries in the American Mission. Nevertheless it was a joy to come back to our Mission and to take over the work at Eklakhi, so faithfully begun by Miss Nesset. It was hoped by that time that the first M. E. class could have begun, but fewer pupils than first expected came and. it was difficult to get a teacher with senior training. The few girls were instead sent to the M. E. school for girls in N arainpur. Upto the rainy season there were 37 boarders and 14 day scholars in the school, and attendance was very good. Santals and Bengalis had a happy time together in work and play. In spite of a bad epidemic of malaria in the whole compound and school the children seem to be healthier here than in their homes, possibly because of the regular life they live here. Shortly after the rainy season vacation our teacher, Premlota Biswas, left us, because of marriage. She was a good singer and the beautiful Bengali songs she taught the children will live on in the school. 12 children did not return after vacation, partly because of poverty and partly bee a use of sickness, and ODe girl was married. No pupils for class IV returned and the question about beginning a class V in 1943 was thereby settled. When we found it impossible to get a new teacher in the middle of the year Rev. Kampp was kind enough to let the Bengali Evangelist. who also is a trained teacher, help us out for the rest of the year. Tl)e little prayer-house has been used daily for early morning prayers by all the bigger girls and for the weekly meeting, where teachers. nurse and matron join and together with the girls take their turn being respon13ible for the meetings,

145 4:4 THE S~TAL MIs~nON OF THE NORTHERN ClirtRCHES. It has been a great help to have that place set aside for quiet prayer and meetings. One thing we try to teach the girls is to give a tenth of all that is grown on the land and to give their handful of rice when they cook their meal. The girls who are leaders of their group of children responsible for the cooking have the joy of bringing the offering to the church. The joy of giving has already been felt so contagious that the workers in the compound, too, have started to give of the products of their fields. In the spring one PuIi-family was baptised, I!nd their conversion was so radical that people in their village since then will not let anyone come to them to preach. Otherwise most of our neighbours are friendly and want us to come to them to tell the gospel and they come here to see us. None has yet decided to become a Christian, th~ugh some talk about it. Only a few send their children to our school. In addition to the work here, I have been treasurer for the Santal Pastors in Dinajpur and MaIda and by that have received a glimpse of the work in the different congregations and seen the strength and weaknesses. We thank G ad for the first, and ask God to help us here through the children to give something that will be of eternal value for the future Christian Church in this part of the country, so that the weaknesses may be turned into spiritual strength. E. LOWE. SAN TAL WORK IN DINA,JPUR, MALDA, RAJSHAHI, PURNEA, RONGPUR. To sit down and go through annual reports from Santal congregations on the plain of North Bengal is not so encouraging a work as one would like it to be. The reports are very much like what we get in other areas of our work; but the possibilities for the Mission to come to their aid in their difficulties are much less than in the Santal Parganas and in parts of Assam.

146 , ~I 45 BAD HAIR. Nine small village oongregations of a total Chri~tian oommunity of a little above 300 is reported at the close of Last year a place called Singahara was among those mentioned, but this year this name has disappeared. On the other hand in Kulinda, just about one mile west of Amnura Ry. station, seven families were baptized in the month of June and thus a new congregation was added. Budhrai Pastor has continued in charge of the work. KHORIBARI. The work in and around Khoribari has not fared well in Lopsa Pastor had got himself entangled in many disputes, and finally he did not find that he could cope with the situation and therefore found it reasonable to retire on pension at the end of the year. Jonas Hasdak'. one of the candidates who completed their course at the Divinity School, is now in charge of the work, and Suphol Pastor from Eklakhi pays occasional visits there. EKLAKHI. Suphol Pastor has continued in this charge. which, naturally, gets considerable help and encouragement in many ways from the Eklakhi Girls' school. But one of the village congregations, that at J otmuni, is reported to be unwilling to listen to good advice and continues with some heathen practices. POTRA. In the western corner of Dinajpur district a pastor was some years back placed at Choksadula and last year he shifted to this new place. That was when Mongol Pastor was in charge. He was, however, transferred to Rautnagar and Gulu came here. And now it is reported by him that he finds Potra very unsuitable for Santa I work, though he is of the opinion that it is alright for Bengali work. The pastor has 8 village congregations to look after, and thus more than one consideration has to be borne in mind when considering the most suitable place for the' pastor to stay in. RAUTNAGAR. The work in this place had been very much neglected last year because the pastor and his family suffered from ill health and lost courage to that extent that they left their charge. As Pastor Mongol Kisku is the person who has

147 46 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OlUJ-ROBES. worked there more than anybody else he was transferred there again, and with usual energy he has started to get the work in shape again. FrOln this station the Santals are in contact with Santal settlers in the eastern part of the Purnea district, and in a place called Bolrampur a village congregation is growing up. PHORIDPUR. Pastor Modhu Sudon Kisku reports that the work has been going on well since he came there. This is~ however, the smallest charge; the pastor has only four village congregation~ to look after. One of them, N owalipara, is situated inside the Rongpur district. NARAYANPUR. rrhe workers in this area sent the Mission a special letter of thanks because all workers got a bonus at the end of 1942 and were promised full pay for Such gratitude is very seldom expressed and therefore it was a great joy to receive it once, at least. The pastor reports that he has noticed a great danger for the work,-the conduct of some of the Christians does not recommend our faith to those outside the fold. There are in all 12 v.illage congregations to be shepherded from this centre, and looking over the reports I find that 44 communion services have been held during the year. Pastor Simeon Murmu has continued in charge of the work. J. GAUSDAL. COOCH BEHAR. A look back on the year 1942 brings to our heart much of thankfulness. Though we have been weak and failed in many respects, yet God has been faithful and helped us in a wonderful way. In the beginning of the year our Church was constituted. Congregational Committees were formed in the different places wbere mission work.is established. and each of these eleqted one representative for the joined Church Council. Our Congregation is small but we are thankful to have become a branch of the "Northern Lutheran Churchtt comprising all the areas of the Santal Mission.

148 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 47 During the year we had two Bible courses arranged for our workers under the leadership of Rev. H. P. H. Kampp. At the second one in Nov. we had also Mr. John Abdul Subhan amongst us. His Bible studies as well as his lectures about the work amongst the Muslims renewed our spiritual strength and encouraged us to carryon the work more eagerly. In January a Bible course was arranged for women. Miss 1. Malmstrom was present and conducted some of the Bible studies. We realized God's presence in a special way and at its close many expressed their gratitude. The work amongst the Garos has continued as before. We have about sixty Christians staying in the Garo colony. In order to be able to work amongst them as well as amongst the Bengalees in the surrounding villages we have built a bamboo house for ourselves over there. A new Church was also built by the Garos themselves and at the time of its dedication, March 12th, Rev. H. P. H. Kampp was present. Our High School had about 460 boys enrolled last year. At the occasion of prize-distribution and sports the school had the honour of the presence of His Highness. Quite anum ber of Christian boys from outside C. B. have taken admission in our school. Considering the necessity to help the boys to become good Christians a 'Young men's Guild" was formed and the Headmaster consented to be the leader. The boys have met now and then for Bible studies, lectures, picnics etc. STATISTICS: Total Christians: 354 Evangelists: 9; Pastor: 1; Baptism children: 11; adults 4 Confirmed: 5; Marriage: 3 H. E. School: 1; Teachers: 19; Students 460. Primary schools: 8; Pupils: 157. Teachers: 7 & lady teachers: 2. Church collection: R-s. 144/9/3 E. PIHLQUIST. S. MORTENSSON.

149 SUMMARY OF EDUCATIONAL WORK IN BJiJNGAL, tj H I-' H ~... > t-t 1-1 ~ ;... H t-t t-4 H Q) Ili ~ l> l> l> I:>...,. ~ tll 00 rn. rn. tll rn. II'J :1.l ~... ~ tll rn. rn. rn. rn.!1.l 00 DO rn. rn :0;: tis tis tis tis ::0;; ~ tis (;IS tis.$ <:':I tis ~... Q)... ~ 0 H E-t 1flirbhum 7 5 ~ 'Mnrshidabad ~ ~7 :-37 Rajshahi J MaIda :3 141 Dinajpnr Cooch Behar l', Total ~

150 WORK IN ASSAM SANTAL COLONY. "Great and marvellous are thy works, 0 Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages". Rev. 15: 3. We seek in vain for human achievements during the past year. in which to glory. But the marvellous works and glorious deeds of the Lord have been without number. We thank and praise Him for all his benefits. As we try to remember some of the events of the past year, a year which in so many ways was abnormal, we see many manifestations of His marvelous works of Grace and Love. On September 26th we had occasion to remember that He has blest and directed the work of the Santal Mission during these 75 years. Though no great festivals were held due to the present situation, special meetings were conducted and many songs of praise were sung in thanksgiving to our Almighty and Everlasting King. Early in the year the first Assam Maha Sabha under the rules of the New Church Constitution was held here at Grahampur. The purpose of this meeting was to organize and elect Officers and members of the Assam Santal Church Council. In November, Rev. J. Gausdal, our Mission Secretary, visited u~. At that time three young men were ordained to the ministry and our son Albert was confirmed. A report of the work in each congregation follows. Grakampur Kanhu Pastor has continued in the work here. Church attendance has been adversely affected by the fact that quite a few men bave enlisted in war service, or h~ve had!:part G

151 50 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. time employment in war projects which have taken them away from home. The women's meetings and Sunday schools have had a good year. Two women in the cohlpound, Majhan Marndi and Martha Hembrom. have assisted Mrs. Bjerkestrand in the women's work and Sunday School. Ths Christians at Grahampur number Two from the non-christian community and 28 children of Christians were baptized. 18 boys and girls were confirmed and 17 who had gone astray were received into the congregation. In the two Sunday Schools 169 children were enrolled with 10 teachers in charge. Church collections amounted to Rs. 551/14/9 of which Rs. 125/- were received at women's meetings. Rantzaupur We have experienced much joy in the work here. James Soren has been working as Elder. He has been assisted by Pastor Lokhon Rembrom of Bilanpur. At the meeting of the Assam District Council in October it was decided that James should be ordained. The ordination took place at Grahampur on Nov. 29. Early in the year we had the joy of seeing repairs to the church tower completed. The roof and windows had been badly damaged by corrosion and storms. The members of the congregation had collecte.d money for which blinds for the windows were purchased, but it was necessary to replace the iron sheets on the roof, and the price of these made it difficult. One day Kadu Manjhi of Tila bani came in. Among the Santals he is a man of considerable means, and in the course of our conversation I told him rather jokingly: "If you would give 100 rupees towards expenses we could perhaps manage to repair the I:oof also". He laughed and after a few casual remarks left for home. But the matter was not forgotten. A day or two later we visited Tilabani and found Kadu Manjhi and his wife at the house of a sick friend. He said: "I have talked to IIlY wife about your suggestion and we have decided to donate 100 rupees". We were happy about that and told him so. While trying to Inake an estimate of the material required, as well as the cost, Kadu suggested that while repairing the roof it would be nice if the steeple could be m~de somewhat

152 higher. But in order to do that more of the expensive material would be needed. "Welf', he said, "if it can be done I shall give another hundred rupees". We thanked God for the man's desire to not only repair but improve the House of God and for his willingness to give of his hard earned money. And then-a few days later Cyril, our right hand man here at Grahampur, came in and reported that Kadu had come, not with two hundred rupees, but had again incl'eased the sum to Rs. 300/- Besides Kadu Manjhi's donation and those of the other members, we are also very grateful to Rev. Eie and the Mornai Congregation for a gift of Rs. 50/- as well as material given towards this work. We were at Rantzaupur on Sunday after Christmas and were happy to see and speak to a large gathering. Up in the front row who should we see but one who for anum bel' of years has been lost to the church. and who bas been a ring leader in drink and all manner of evil practices. He has used Sundays for travelling to the District Headquarters, there to institute false cases against Christians I was glad to see that he was attentive and seemingly interested. Later we were told, "He has changed. He comer to church regularly and seems to be in earnest about his conversion." Just the other day he brought some young people to James Pastor to enroll them in the Confirmation class. Five young non-christian boys from his village are being instructed for baptism. There are at Rantzaupur 1146 Ohristians. 14 from a.mong the non-christians and 27 children of Christians were baptized. 22 boys and girls were confirmed, and 24 excommunicated members were received back into the congregation In the Sunday school 40 children were enrolled and instructed by two teachers. Church collections totaled Rs. 218/6/6 of which Rs. 50/8/- were collected at the Friday meetings for women. Bilatl/JUr (Manjadabri) This congregation is served by Lokhon Pastor. As reported Lokhon Pastor has also assisted in the work at Rantzaupur. Manjada bri, or Bilanpur as it is now called, is our smallest 51

153 52 THE SANTAL MIssioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. congregation in the Colony, with 644 Christians. Church attendance has been comparativly good, although ~in this area also many members have gone a way to seek temporary employment due to crop failure. 3 from among the non-christians and 21 children of Christians have been baptized. 8 boys and girls were confirmed and 15 children were enrolled in the Sunday School conducted by the Pastor. Offerings amounted to Rs. 145/8/6, of which Re. 20/10/3 were collected at women's meetings. The women also gave 168 seers of rice, which at the present writing has not been sold. Haraputa Ratia the veteran Pastor in Assam has continued in charge of this our largest congregation. Bhola Hembrom, the elder, has been ill the greater part of the year. The women's work and Sunday schools have been supervised by Dr. Pedersen and Miss Somming. There are 2015 Christians. 5 from the non Christian community and 62 children of Christians were baptized. 29 young people were confirmed and 240 children were enrolled in Sunday schools conducted by 7 teachers. Church collectiona amounted to Rs. 698/12/3. Rs. 45/10 and 690 seers of rice were given at women's meetings, It is always an inspiration to attend church service at Haraputa. We were there on Christmas Day, and the large church, built by Rev. J. M. Girtz and dedicated in 1930, was packed to the doors by some quiet and eager listeners. A 3-day women's,. meeting was held at Haraputa in March. So far as we know this was the first meeting of this kind to be held in the Colony. We have had special women's gatherings in connection with conventions but this was a meeting for women only. A Santal woman remarked after a session at which the large church was packed: "I wish our men could see us now. They said when we left home "what can you do all by yourselves?" At each session of the three day meeting a topic was introduced by one of the women, after which the meeting was open for testimonies and prayer. We believe the meeting was a blessing to the many who attended.

154 At Ranga village, about a mile or so from Haraputa, we had the privilege of dedicating a well-built village church in which the people come together for daily devotions, women's meetings and Sunday School. Encouraged by Ratia Pastor and under the leadership,of Hopa Manjhi they gathered sufficient funds for buying corrugated iron for the roof, and together they have built the church. Samaguri This small Boro congregation was at the Assam District Church Council meeting transferred to the Bora Church Council. The Christians there have been served by Ratia Pastor of Haraputa.. A Bora elder has assisted him in the work. M. E. Boys' SCHOOL-- There has been one change in the tea.ching staff of the school. Shyam Soren resigned early in the year to seek other employment and in his place Subha Pandit, a Bengali Christian is serving. The enrollment has decreased somewhat. Many parents complain of ina bility to keep their boys in boarding school beca use of the high prices of food and clothing. There were 116 on the roll at the end of the year. Nine boys appeared in the M. E. examination at the end of Five passed. We are grateful to the Government of Assam for the regular as well as for special war time Grant-in-aid for our schools. VILLAGE SCHOOLS- The schools of Tilabani and Sosoghutu have been amalgamated and the children of both places now gather at Rantzaupur, where we have a two-teacher school. The other two-teacher school is at Bilanpur. A new school was started at Molkepur. 263 children were enrolled in the village schools, with 8 teachers in charge. Five of our village Primary schools received grant-in-aid from the Local Board, for which we are grateful. LOAN FUND- All deposits in the Loan Fund were paid out this year. The Capital of the Loan Fund as per December 31, 1942 was Rs. 72,589/7/9. 53

155 54 THE SANTAL Missi:ON OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. DrsPENSARY- Compounder Benjamin Hem brom has been in charge. Dr. Chakravartyof Mornai has supervised the work. A total of 3,935 patients were treated. To all the friends of the Santal Mission hearty thanks for loyal support. we send our HAZEL & OLE BJERKESTRAND. HARAPUTA GIRLS' M. E. SCHOOL. During this last year we have been a ble to carryon the work in the School with less changes in staff than the two previous years and also with less disappointments. The uncertainty about the future of the institution was not lessened, however, with the war drawing close to our frontiers and fear of a Japanese invasion, and last but not least, all the rumours that were circulating. When we closed the school for our summur vacation we had therefore little hope of our boarders returning here by the end of August. But strange enough, one after the other returned and after a few days they were back again 80 of the 90 girls we had in boarding before the vacation. We are very thankful that we have been enabled to go on with the work undisturbed, ah so many school here in Assam have been closed or partly closed for the duration of the war. Two of our girls who" attended High School at Golayhat the first term of the school year could not return after the long vacation as the school was partly taken over by the military. Now they are reading on here, but we hope to be able to make better arrangements for them and other big girls here for the next school year. We have felt strongly the need of more work among the women and children her~ in Haraputa community..as both Dr. Pedersen and I are kept very busy in our institutions, we do not get much time off for visiting the villages. So we asked the teachers and big girls what to do, and it was decided that we should start Sunday schools in the different villages in the neighbourhood.

156 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 55 Now every Sunday morning a!;!mall team of girls goes out to each of the five nearest villages. The girls enjoy it very much and the village people also ~how great interest. We hope that this work may bear rich fruit. The Friday meetings for women have been held regularly but are not very well attended. What is sorely needed is a spiritual awakening and we hope and pray t~at God may send it soon. And now when we enter upon a third year of war and anxiety, we do it with trustful hearts. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today - yes, and for ever." As He has blessed His work until today, He will also bless it in the coming year. SOL VElG SOMMING. JOEMA. Looking back upon the past year trying to give an account of what happened. our hearts are more than ever filled with thanks to God. Not because we have so much to show of achievements but because we once more can sit down in peace to review the past year's work. The agony of unrest and suffering that manhood is passing through drew so near that we at times were afraid it would affect even us in this far away jungle. It is therefore a great privilege to be able to report that the work that has been given us has in spite of our troubled hearts been carried on as usual. CONGREGATIONAL WORK. At the beginning of the year a request for help came from a new settlement in Kamrup. An elder was sent to look after them and we hope he will be able to help. Unfortunately they have some dispute about the land and they may have to move. We have now 20 congregations in this district where the Gospel is preached every Sunday. The two Pa~tors, Peter RembroIl+ f\.nd Paul M:urruu. hf\.ve served faithfully durin~ the

157 56 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. year, and so have 20 elders and 2 Bible women, Ten of the elders have worked voluntarily. There have been 70 baptisms, 39 confirmations and 13 marriages have been performed. It has sometimes been difficult to find helpers willing to bear the strain of the work in this large district, but the past year the staff has been increased with some better prepared worker~. Ruben Murmu, the late Pastor Ragda Soren's son-in-law, retured from the Divinity School at Chondorpura and was ordained in Grahampur on November 29th to work among the Santals in Kamrup and Darrang. James Soren was also ordained to take Peter Pastor's place at Joema. Peter Pastor will soon move to Rantzaupur. We are thankful to him for his faithfulness during years of hard work. In October they.. answered our cry for help in the Old Country by sending Chaitan Soren who also has received training in the Divinity School. Chaitan is an earnest young man whose work already shows fruit. SCHOOL WORK. Six village schools have been conducted during the year mainly supported by the village people themselves. In addition, about 60 boys have studied in the Primary School in J oema and 18 small girls in a compound school for girls. People find it difficult to send their children to schqol now because everything is so expensive, but when times become normal again more children will attend our schools. MEDICAL WORK. About 1600 patients have received treatment in our dispensary which is only a small number of all who have suffered. Knowing what an important factor medicine is among the people we admit that more ought to be done for them. We are pleased to have P.andu Marndi back from compounders' training in Benagaria. In closing we thank you all for your friendly help and most of all for your prayers that have meant so much to us. ADELAIDE & M.AGNVS LAN:OO.

158 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 57 MORNAI. During the year under review work has been carried on much on the same lines as in previous years. There is again cause for being grateful for the fact that in spite of the war both the practical work of the Tea garden and the work of the congregations has been able to be carried out under peaceful circumstances. Church services and meetings for men and women have been held as before. To all the Christians here the death of our Pastor, Sorkar Hembrom, on the 12th of July in a hospital in Shillong was felt as a great loss, and there was real deep-felt sorrow in many hearts for the loss of this unselfish and keen Pastor, a real friend of many from the labourers to the Missionaries. He will be remembered here as a faithful servant of the Cross of our Saviour who showed great eagerness in bringing the Gospel out to men and show them the way of salvation in Christ. We thank God for Sorkar Hembrom. His wife died here only 8 days after her husband had passed away, and only 3 days after she received the sad message on her sick bed. Her funeral was attended by a of the community. large gatherin~ We were fortunate that one of the Santal candidates, Jatu M urmu, who was passed out this year from the Divinity School at Chondorpura, had come here to help during Pastor Sorkar Hembrom's illness. It had not then been decided that he should remain here, but later on it was arranged that he should stay on at Mornai and become the Pastor-in-charge of tlhe congregation here. He was ordained at the Grahampur Church together with some other candidates on the 29th of November when the Secretary visited the Assam field. Pastor Jatu Murmu is a man from Santal Parganas and it is natural that it takes him and his family some time to settle down to the in-many-ways different conditions of Assam. We, however, believe we ha.ve every reason to hope that he will be a valuable worker and we are thankful to the mother congregation in Santal Parganas and to the Divinity school who H

159 58 THE SAN~AL MISSION OF THE NORTlIERN CHURCHES. made it possible for us to get a worker with a good education and knowledge of the Bible and pastoral work. Sunday schools are still promising in all three congregations witbalmost 200 children attending fairly.regularly. The day school is functioning well and our new Headmaster, Mohendra Murmu, is doing good work. One of our teachers, Suku Sangma, (a Garo born an educated here) is now receiving teachers' training in a Mission training school in Bengal.. We hope he will return in 1944 as an efficient teacher, for which he really has the qualities and possibilitie8. Medical work has also been carried out as usual. Malaria cases rose slightly to the proportion of 47% of the total cases dealt with. In conclusion we want most heartily to thank all our friends who have helped us in the work through their intercessions and by their gifts. O. ErE. ASSAM MEDIOAL WORK. Our work goes on much as usual. This expression may sound trite, but it means much more in these times than it does in normal years. We have much to b'e thankful for, that the work does go on as usual. Of course the prices of all things, medicine. food and clothing have soared almost beyond reach. And some things we have great difficulty in getting or are unable to get. But we manage somehow. The work at the dispensary has increased a little. This year we had 12,142 out patients. The in-patients are not many, but a few stay in the two Santal houses we have. About 40 have been admitted this year. Some stay only a few days for the most urgent treatment of acute cases~ While some of the chronic cases stay several months sometimes. AS they supply their own food we let them stay until they are entirely well, or they wish to ~o home,

160 S~VElf1':Y-SIXTH ANNttAt REPOR1\ 59 We ha.ve had some bad malaria and much influenza. this year. Both the compounders and myself have had severe attacks of malaria I have three compounders. One has been here 'for several years, the other two are new this year. I have not been able to give as much time as I could wish to the women's work in the congregation. But we have continued our monthly meetings for the Bible women. Then this spring we had a 3-day meeting for women only. We were highly gratified as to the results. Both for the number attending anf! the response in taking part. The women were also enthusiastic about it and asked to have another one next year. It was a spiritual blessing to take part in such a meeting. We hope to have a meeting next year, if not in Haraputa, then in some other place in the colony. We wish to thank all who have helped by faith in us and prayers for us in these troublous times. DAGMAR PEDERSEN, M. D. THE BORO WORK. "He is a shield to all tlwse that trust in Him." We are glad to start the report with these words,. and this year also we have experienced God's help. He is the same and never fails. The past year has not been an easy one in India, and the waves have also reached our field. At one time we were threat end by a Japanese invasion. People's mind have been in a turmoil and there has been apprehension for the future. During the last part of the year the,economical problems have been great and given anxiety to nearly everyone. Through it all it has been possible to carryon with the work. The Ohristians are standing firm, but the impression is that the w01"k among the heathen is more diffioult than, befo:re~ The material things are foremost in people's minds;

161 GO THE SANTAL MIssioN OF THE NOR'rHERN onurcltms. Still we are glad to report that 110 of the heathen -have received holy baptism,. But at present rather few are under instruction. The field is wide and only a part of the ~6 congregations ha,ve been visited this year. But the local preachers are carrying on at the various places. Besides the councils for Gaorang and Bongaigaon, a new council for Kamrup and Darrang was established during a visit up there, and the first joint meeting of all councils was held in April at Kokrajhar hostel. From these joint meetings the Boro Church Council will gradually emerge. The work of these councils has been very valuable, especially in Gaorang district where the work is most consolidated and they already take a great share in the supervision of the congregations. At the same time the work has been made easier by the ordination of two new pastors, Bhobendra Narjary and Tarini Iswary, who have both finished the course at the Div. School at Chondorpura. The first has been stationed in Bongaigaon, the second in Gaorang. We hope that their work m!1y be a blessing to the Boro congregations. No Sabha was held this year, due to some differences of opinion among the Boros. The village schools are now 11 in number, two having been discontinued and a new one opened in Patgaon. The work of these schools generally cannot be said to be satisfactory, and some system of regular inspection seems to be needed. A great difficulty is that the number of pupils varies from time to time, especially many being taken home during the usual time of food scarcity, in Aug - Nov. But we are gra.dually getting better teachers, and think the work is well worth while. The increase in the number of Christians this year is partly due to the inclusion of Samaguri, formerly under the Santal Colony, and Palasguri. which was temporarily outside our church. Contributions for all the Boro work amounts ~o Rs , besides some unrecorded oontributions in Gaorang and Bongai,aon

162 districts for church buildings, part of teachers' salaries etc., and the contributions in Kamrup. GAO RANG DISTRICT. By the end of the year there are 17 congregations, including one Christian family in Samthaibari which has been regularly visited from Karigaon. The small congregation of J eaguri has joined.jambuguri, not very far away. From the beginning of the year Bashguri and Rajadhabri have been recognised is separate congregations. They had already built their own churches. The preacher of the small church at Bhumka. became a Hindu towards the end of 1941, and the congregation was broken up. The only Christian family left moved to another village and i::; now asking for readmission. Samaguri or Palasguri have already been mentioned. There is nowhere any great movement among the heathen, only single families joining the Christians here and there. The exact number of baptisms has not been received, but more than 30 from among the heathen have received holy baptism. Pastor Olichoron is still stationed in J ambue;uri, with responsibility for the western congregations, and Tarini in Gaorang looks after the others. The council has made efforts to increase the contributions, and with good results. They have collected R , and together with R for Kokrajhar hostel and &S in Jubilee offerings the total comes to Rs 'fhe church account shows an expenditure of Rs , and the church contributions then cover 56% of that amount. Four years ago a small plot of land was acquired near Kokrajhar High School, as the site of a hostel for Christian boys. It was to be the task of the Boros themselves to build it, and quite a lot of money was collected. A thatched boarding house was built and the hostel started. The management has gradually improved. Last year two small houses were added, and a housefather appointed. There is also a small church here now, near this important Boro school, but it is difficult to get the Hindu boys to come to th~ servioes. 6i

163 62 THE SANTi!. MISSION ofrrhe NORTlfERNCnuRcltlts. BORO LITERATURE BOARD. The only work to report this year is a new edition of the hymn book, which is being printed. It contains some new hymns, translated by Boros. BONGAIGAON DISTRICT. Having been without a pastor for a long time this district has been somewhat neglected. But good help has been given also this year by Nimbai pastor until Bhobendra came in July to take eare of the work. We reported a lot of people under instruction by ~he end of last year, and 70 from among heathen have been baptised. But sinee then the number of new inquirers has been rather small. Four families of Christians living at Saulmari have been recognised as a congregation. The Roman Catholics give some trouble here as elsewhere by receiving people we have put under church discipline. Four families in Gandabil went over to them for that reason. Contributions have decreased this year, but together with about Rs. 100/-/- left over from last year, and Rs. 31/-/- for Bongaigaon boarding house the total collected is Rs. 563/2/-. The number of pupils in the boarding school at Bongaigaon is the same a.s before and almost all are boarders. A new Boro teacher was appointed at the beginning of the year. In DecembeT the headmaster left to join the military service. For the work as a whole, and not least for the school, a missionary an the spot is very necessary now. Regarding Kamrup and Darrang, it has been de cided that the three Boro pastors shall each make one visit up there every year to look a.fter the work. There a.re now three oongregations in Darrang and three in Kamrup. Finally we SlId supporters.. want to ext.end our thanks to all friends ANNA & HAKON HALVORSRUD.

164 SEVENTY-SlXTR.ANNUAL.HEPDET. 63 TAJOBARI GIRLS' SCHOOL. The number of children has been steadily.decreasing during the year... This is partly due to the depression and high prices the war has brought on and partly tdstrif.e and llllrest.amongst the Boros themselves. Of the staff we ha ve kept the two head teachers. One newly appointed teacher did not dare take the risk of travelling at the time she was to join us, and as no other teachers were a vailable then, two girls reading in class VI had to join the staff as assistant teachers. Of the 7 girls appearing for the Primary Examination 4 passed. The health both amongst the teachers and children has been very good. The school has been recommended to receive GO\T. Grant-in-aid. Average number of children reading in the following classes: Class V 4 IV 7., III 3 " II 4,. I 2 Infant 14 SOFIE NESSET. SAN TIP ARA LEPER WORK & DISTRICT. THE LEPER,WORK. Nothing spectacular has happened during the year, but we are thankful to say that the work has continued as usual and we have enjoyed seeing the good results of the' Medical work both in the Colony and at the three out-clinics. Several of the in-door patients have shown signs of great improvement, and five patients were discharged as symptom-free. The work at the out-clinics has b.rought even better results, a,s the early cases met with there respond easier to treatment

165 64 THE SANTAL MISSION OF- THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. than the more advanced ones. This is pointed out in the Survey report from Gurubhasa area by Dr. S. Ahmed l Special Leprosy Officer, Assam: "It has been noticed during the survey that the majority of the early cases (Ll & Nl) have shown marvellous improvement by the treatment. Patches have disappeared from the majority of the treated Neural cases and normal pigmentation has been regained. Thus the treatment bas been the more attractive to the patients in the Gurubhasa Clinic". In the Colony a new sick-ward has been erected with 10 beds. The patients with intercurrent diseases and those in need of special care are treated there. Total number of lepers treated in 1942 are as follows: Santipara, In-door 96 " Out-door 30 Gurubhasa Leper Clinic 245 Gaorang Leper Clinic 87 In previous years we ha ve had the pleasure of treating people from the surrounding villager suffering from malaria and other diseases, but owing to the difficulties in obtaining supplies of quinine and other remedies this work has been greatly curtailed. The in-door patients have as usual been engaged in the cultivation of paddy, pulses. tapioca, potatoes and other vegetables a.s well as small quantities of jute. In addition, a Tung plantation has been started by the help of Mornai Tea Estate. There is one primary school in the Colony for the leper children. The number of pupils was 13. and the evening school was attended by 20 adult lepers. By an accident the Doctor's bungalow was burnt down and a new building had to be erected. The Evangelistic work in the Colony has mainly been carried out by the Pastor and the Boro compounder. 21 heathens and 1 child of Christian parents have been baptized. 458

166 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 We render our sincere thanks to the Right Rev. The Bishop of Assam for his untiring efforts in taking collections throughout his parishes to the great benefit of this work, and we are also grateful to the Secretary of the Mission to Lepers for the Christmas gift to the Colony. THE DISTRICT. Our second year in the District work ha.s been most encouraging. The Elders.of the different congregations, and especially Nimbai pastor, rendered good and faithful service, the apparent result being: 34 heathens and 20 children of Christians baptized, and 47 confirmed. It has been interesting to note that church collections e.nd other offerings by the congregations have risen 44% in spite of the prehent economical difficulties encountered on account of the war. Concluding we want to render our heart-felt thanks to all those who by intercessions, prayers and offerings, have made it possible to continue both the Leper and the District work. BERGLJOT & GUNNAR FOSSLAND. I

167 SUMMARY OF EDUCATION AL WORK IN ASSAM, ~ ~ ; a3 ~ ~ > > P. t> H et:l ~ ~ Q),..d ttl CIJ m ttl rtj ttl l7} ttl ttl 11.1 ttl 0 ttl - l7} l7} CIJ l7} ttl 11.1 ttl ttl l7} 11.1 I1.l tll as o::! o::! o::! cd cd as as as as ~ as as = as... Q) ,...-I 0 Eo! E-t Grahampnr Y. E. ~ohool '1 116 Santal Colony ViII. Schools Mornai Tea Esta.te Schools Harapu~a Girls' M. E. School Joema St. & ViII. Schools Santipa.ra. & Vill. Sohools 'Tajobari Girls' Sohool 'i 7 34 Gaorang Vill. Sohools Bongaigaon St. & Vill. Sohools Kamrnp & Darrang Vill. Sch Total

168 SUMMARY OF MEDICAL WORK IN ASSAM FOR INDIAN STAFF IN-PATIENTS OUT-PATIENTS I'I.l ~!'Il C ~ III ~ ~ a! ~ ~ CD r-c III "t:i CD "t:i.: CD - CIS ~. -- ~ CD ~ Q;j ~ C ~~!1l C Q;j CD... 0.~ 'S,co.~ P-t III III ~.- ~ a! ~ 0 C 8 ~, ~ c~ c 8 ~ 0 Po CD ~.!'Il Q;j.~ C 8P-o '"... S t1j CD r-c 8~ "t:i I'I.l ~,.Q c,.q.~ Po. C ~ o 0.~ a! 0 ~ ~ 0 c ~.oz..a 0..cz...c:: c Z 0 <1-0 H ~ <1-0 0 E-! ~ ~ ~ iii Santal Colony Dispensary 1 3~ Haraputa Hospital work 2,.to 1214~ MOl'nai Tea Estate Disp t Joema Dispensary ; Santipara Leper Colony Total b

169 THE CHURCH. The first meeting of the Synod or Central Governing Body of our growing Church met on the 8th of April, 1942, at Dumka, and used most of the time to consider helpful suggestions from our American Board to the draft constitution. On some points further correspondence was needed, and no reply has yet come to the letter sent over there. With the other Home Boards no communication on this matter has been possible. Apart from the Constitution soroe standing rules will be required in order to unify the development of the Church, and a small sub-committee has been at work on this, and the temporary draft is at present in circulation. Thus the year 1942 has passed without any very great advance in the codification of things pertaining to our already in faith, life and reality established Church. That ~ay also be the best, as we hope that a better day will come when we are in regular communication with all our Home Boards a.gain, and can complete this work in consultation with all of them. The life of the Church, however, has flowed on throughout the year, through Sunday services, prayer meetings, visits and ministrations to sick and suffering, classes of instruction, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials, yea also through collections and offerings-an ever more broadening stream of opportunities to let the living water from the one true Fount of Life flow into the barrenness of earthly life. At the close of the year the community of above 26 thousand consisted of 4926 Christian families which lived in 1003 villages and gathered in 218 places of worship. During the year 1583 persons were baptized, 417 confirmed, 1136 communion services were held, and 272 couples married. One still young and promising pastor, Sorkar Hembrom, completed his service among us, a.nd was taken to his heavenly rest.

170 The following new pastors were ordained during the year: 1. Bhobendro N arjary for work in the Boro branch of our Ohurch, - at Chondorpura on the 27th of May when the Divinity School closed this course. 2. Ruben Murmu for Santal work in Darrang, - at Grahampur on the 29th of N ovem ber. 3. Jatu Murmu for the Mornai Tea Garden, - at Grahampur on the 29th of November. 4. James Ropna Soren for J oema. - at Grahampur on the 29th of November. 5. Tarani Iswary" for work in the Boro branch of our Church, - at Gaorang on the 6th of December. The Santal P~l'ganas Church Council met three times during Pastor Ka,lu Kisku and Mr. Nunku Soren were elected as members of the Synod, Pastor Galu Soren was transferred from Raripur to Chondorpura, and the four candidates allotted to this area when they were free from the Divinity School were placed in different stations. At the last meeting a request from Santals in Nepal was heard, and it was agreed that a committee of Santals be formed for considering what they can do for their own people. The North Bengal Santal Church Council met three times, and among other business also elected Pastor Simeon Murmu and Miss E. Lowe as members of the Synod, transferred Pastors Madhu Sudan Kisku to Phoridpur, Mongol Kisku to Rautnagar and Gulu Murmu to Potra, and also accepted that Lopsa Soren retire on pension at the end of Since the president of a church council is ex-officio a member of the Synod, Rev. Kampp. who has hitherto been the president of this council, proposed that he be relieved of this office as he also is president of the Bengal C. C. The' retired veteran Pastor J alpa Soren was then elected President and Rev. Kampp a.greed to be Vice-President. The Assam Sa.ntal Church Council was constituted by a. Maha Sabha meeting early in the year. Rev. O. Eie was elected President. Rev. M. Landoy and Mr. Cyril Hasda.k t Were elected members of the Synod. Pastor Pit or Hembrom

171 was transferred from Joema to Rantzaupur as from the beginning of 1943, and three of the workers were selected and recommended for ordination. The Boro Church Council elected Bhobendro N arjary and Biswanath N arjary as members of the Synod, and recommended that the two Boro candidates from the Divinity School be ordained as soon as possible. The Bengali Church Council has been meeting in three sections, at N arainpur, Nimasarai and at Cooch Behar, and has elected Pastor Bosonto Dutta and Mr. N. Banerjee as members of the Synod. Thus the Church is growing both in life' and form, and though any difference may not be visible from day to day, it is sure to be noticeable as generations pass. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15, 58) J. GAUSDAL

172 I" - ;) CONGREGATIONAL RETURNS FOR THE YEAR Station Kaerabani Dumka l'iaharo Korova. Chon~lorpura ~Aldoha Basctkundi ]\fobulpahal"i Tilabani Benagnria TUTAL ~'OH. Badhair Khol'ihRri Eklakhi Potl"a Ralltnagar phoridpur Narayanpur AltEA TOTAL "'OR... RE... A8s~m CololI\" ~~orn8i.10ema gantipara \\ i\--- Ii rn I = I ~ I tor. 9-> 7 II COMl\lU~JTY (ih ; w 12\-1 ;l:-l!12 TOTAL FOR ~REA , Gaorang " Bongaegaon ]7.J:! ::!~ Ifl58 }.l. :m 2: m 1:"i:-{8 Kamrnp-DalTang I {j s [,0 2:-1 I TOTAL FOR AIUtA III 37 Domka R. Narainpnr ~uri Nimasarai COl)ch Beha.r 'fotal FoR AREA 'fotal 1942,I 1' s:~ ~Vl ::7! i{;,5 21 7H :~7 \-I') 7s \.J ;) HI 57 :) HI 4ti k :.!i (iii 4 () :m "" () 4.~ 12 :3.-, 10H RH 1S~7 J. HI L ;i7:l i \ IHi I i I 32 I i I 147"!)72 11>-:6 WO ] J$H ;.2;3 W05 ~2;j as4 IHH ;)117 ~6;.{ 1!lB5 f ~, ]R 55 15\-1 7(j2 :.> 'i:'h ] I I 11 WORK n(jrt~g YEAR I!==~---=--=========-- i! ;l.j 2tj :{-l. 10 II If) : n H IH :~.j, :1 1 I ] I I :~x :H-l 10 ii la 21 II II a~ 4~, 2:~ ] - 5:l 7 t!l :~ 3;, \-I :! :~ :3 3H 3 H ]I n p" :3 10 4:{ 'i7 H!-J 1 H fig :-, H:I : H :! 9 IB5 ~ 2 ] ) 1~!7 14 Ii (i Ii ij Vi {j ;, 1] 89 : Hi lr : ;{ t 1 ;; a 1 1 ;; lo(-j ao ]2 ] IS HIS ,ui4 (j 202 ;) vm :; CHURCH COLLEC TIONS AND OTHER OFFERINGS HR :!l ~8 loh 729 R ,706 1,080 /lrb HR AS. PS t 11 7t H 8 1O~ 7 7t lot 10 B 1::J 6 H 1;") 14!! 4. fi :-{ ;, 6 9 () Q 3 9 o 3 10!. 7}

173 STATE-MENT OF ACCOUNTS of the San tal Mission of The Northern Churches for the year The Executive Committee of the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches, meeting at Dumka on the 14th of January, 1943 resolved That on account of the present circumstances the annual revison of all accounts under the Mission be postponed until the next year is completed, so that both be audited a.t one time.

174 72 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCHES. Statement of General Mission Account RECEIPTS. To Balance in hand on 1/1/42 " American Board per Treasurer " Profit Mornai Tea Garden " From Lutheran Federation " " the Norwegian Goverment, London " Zemindary " Government grant to Benhgaria Hospital. " Church of Scotland Mission for KaerabaDi & Maharo Schools " Collections by Church of Scot land Santa} Christians,, K vinnliga Missions Arbetnre, Stockholm " Laeral'innornas Missions Forening, Sweden " From Rev. A. Malme (as a loan). n Mr. G. D. Jardine ",. Captain Finn Larsen, Sydney " (Arendal) " Miss Henriette Hansen, Thorshavn " " Anonymous, Scotland " " Mr. Bjarni Eyjolfsson, Reykjavik " " Rev. Axel Krebs, Buenos " Aires " Money sent out to Kaerabani " Interest on cia. Rs. A. P.! "2 90, ,000 30,3:n 21, ,000 4,000 3, , ,425 9 ioo Total Rs. 232, I!

175 SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 1st January-31st December EXPENDITURE. Rs. A. P. Cr. Rs. A. P. By Missionaries in the Field " Children's allowa.nces " " school & travelling " Missionaries' income tax... "Hill Allowances " Medicine & cycle allowances 35, ,365 1, , ,600 ~, ,26~ 13 3 " Kaerabani District " " Dispensary " " High School to Provident Fund " Dhorompur " Mission " Dumka Mission " "Bengali Work " Koroya District " "Orphanage & School "Maharo District " Girls' School " " Dispensary " Mohulpahari Mission " " Dispensary " Tilabani & Karikador District " Chondorpura Mission " "Divinity School.. " Saldoha District " " Leper Culony... "Basetkundi Mission " Benagaria District " Rep. of Muston House... " Benagaria Hos pi tal "Narainpur Bengali Work Girls' School... ""Nimasarai " Bengali Work "MaIda Bengali Women' s Work " Eklakhi Girls' School... " Dinajpur & MaIda Santali Work... 3, , ,224 2, ,070 2,472 1,270 6, , ~8 3 2,334 3,210 2, ,500 5,393 7, ,147 6,'l , ,380 11,654 Carried over Rs. 152,

176 RECEIPTS-Ooncluded Rs. A. P. To: Brought forward 232, It '1'otai or 232, It

177 EXPENDITURE-Oontinued By Brought forward " Santal Colony "Haraputa Girls' School... " " Medical W 01 k... "Joema Mission ",Gaorang Bol'o Mission... Girls' School... " Bongaig8.on " Boro Mission " Santipal'a Leper Colony... District " Mission " Station Rent " Bonus 01' Indian Workers " X-mas payment on behalf of American Board.. " Rice advance (Maharo School)... " Contribution to Indian Workers' Pension Fund " Paid pension contrib. for two pastors in Santal Labour Corps " Committees & travelling... " Civil Surgeon's fee " Office & audit expenses... " Secretary's' travelling,,"pera Hor" Stipend for school children " in Santal ParganBs " " " " in Assam " " " " "Bengal " Lutheran Federation Bengal Christian Council,t " Assam " "... "Legal expenses " Printing Annual Report etc. u Boro Literature Board... '" Santal Literature Committee " Money sent out to Rev. R. Rosenlund " Bad coins " Bank charges Rs. A. P. 152, ,724 3,316 1,000 5,243 3, , ,550 10, , , ,100 1,000 1, , , :> IV Rs. ~07, Balance in hand pro 31/12-42:" 24, j Total: Ra. 232, Ii

178 76 THE SANTAL MISsioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Santal Mission of The Northern Churches Funds on the 31st December 1942 A. Emergency Fund: 1. On cia with Chartered Bank CI India, Australia & China, Bombay Hs A. P. ( previously with the National City Bank of New York) 4, Add interest On Savings alc with Lloyds Bank Limited, Darjeelillg 9, Interest to a1. Oct. 194~ :t O 3. Held in Cash Rs. A. P. 4, , , B. Assam Leper & Hospital Fund: With the Allahabad Bank Ltd. Ra. A. P. Rs. A. P. Mnssoorie 39,947 Less Bank charges , c Passage Fund: 1. On cia with Lloyds Bank Limited, Darjeeling Less Bank charg~s. 2. On cia. with Jet-mull Bhojraj, Bankers, Darjeeling Add interest Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P , ~ , , D. Budget 1943 From Mornai Tea Estate 1942 Profit for the 1943 Mission Budget, on cia with Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Bombay Rs. 65,900

179 SEYENTy-sfXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 77 Indian Workers' Pension Fund. Rs. A. P. Oapitalon 1st January 1942 Contributions from members , Contribution fro~ Mission 194t 1,151 l~ 9 Nett interest on capital 1, Rs. A. P. 40, Total Income 1942 Paid pensions and ref. contribution8 2, Working expend. Rs , , Capital on 31st Dec. 1942: Rs. 40,S Invested in this 'Way: Rs A. P. R. A P. 1. As Inscribed Stock with Reserve Bank of India, Ca.wnpore: 3 % Rupee Loan 189t\ 97, Oertificate CAS7 Nom. Rs. 19,0001 at cost 15, , 3!% Rupee Loan , Certificate CA769 Nom. Rs. 3,200/-. 3t% Rupee Loa.n , Certificate CA507 Nom. Rs. 1,200;'. 3~% Rupee Loau IS1,2.1:3, Certificate CA473 Nom. Rs. 6,600/-. 3!% Rupee Loan 1865, Certificate CA7S2 Nom. Rs.4,000J-. at cost 14, , P. O. Defence Savin~s AIC at Dumka Interest 3, , On Fixed Deposit. with Mr. Mahadeolal Prabhudayal, Dumka, at 5% 4,928 5 Interest 238 If> Savings alc with Mr. R. J. Himatsingka, Dumka 2,003 S Interest , Rs. 40, Oash in hand on 31st Dec Total: Rs. 40,S12 6 3

180 78 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE N~RTHERN CHURCHES. Indian Home Mission Zemindary Estate. INCOME Rs. A. P. To: Balance in hand on 1/1/ , " Rent collections for 1348 B. S. & ai'rears 8, " N azarana (Transfer ees) " Received from Court & refund of Court Exp " Sale of Paddy & Rice , " Petty Collections Total Rs. 13, EXPENDITURE. By: " Paid to Mission Khajna to Hetampur and others Legal expenses Staff and management Paddy and rice bought for resale Miscell. expenses Balance in hand on :~1/12/42 Rs. A. P. 4, ~ 5 3 1, , , Total Rs. 13, Book-Sales. INCOME To: Balance in hand on 1/1/42... " Sales during 1942 " Grant received from Mission.. Rs. A. P. 1, , Total Rs. 3, EXPEN DITURlJ. Rs. A. P. By: Cost of publication on books including grant to., P era Hor" 2, Books bought for resale Discount on bills Posta.ge and Sundries Balance in hand 31/12/ " Total Ra. 3,

181 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAN TAL 1\1 ISS ION OF THE.. NORTHERN CHURCHES (THE INDIAN HOME MISSION TO THE SANTALS) FOR THE YEAR 1943 CI _ 1.. _ I:Ii DUMKA PUBLISHED BY THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES PRINTED AT THE MISSION PRESS, BENAGARJA.

182 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES -~- ~ tcehttj1 : REV. J. GAU8DAL, DUMKA, SANTAL PARGANAS, INDIA. REV. J. G.:\ USDAL, H. HOEG, ESQR. Dumka, San tal Parganas, INDIA. Oslo, NORWAY. REY. COUNT VIGGO MOLTKE, Asminderod., Fl'edensborg, DENMARK. R,EV. PROFESSOR A.. HELLAND, Minneapolis, MINN, U. S. A. REY. R. ROSENLUND Kaerabani, Santal Parganas, INDIA. REY. BERNHARD A. HELLAND, do. do. do. do. From America BJERKE STRAND, MR. & MRS. O. S. HELLAND, REY. & MRS. B. A. MILLER, MISS. DAGMAR, OSTERGAA.RD, DR. E. & MRS. A. PEDERSEN, DR. Miss D. ~i.s.sionarie.s (April 1925), Grahampur. (Oct. 19~6), on furl. (Nov. 1920), on furl. (Nov, 1928 & Nov. 936) Benagaria. (Oct. 1931), Haraputa.. From Denmark : BAGGER, REV. & MRS. V; EIE, REY. & M.~s. O. FISCHER, MISS BESSIE, HOLTEN, MISS GUDRUN, KAMPP, REV. & MRS. H. P. H. KROHN, Miss ELISABBTH, KROHN, REV. & MRS. J. LOWE, MISS ERIKA, (Dec & June 1926), on furl. (Oct. 1920), 1\fornai. (Nov. 1934), on furl. (Dec. 1927), Saldoha. (Nov. 1915& March 1918), Nimasarai. ~Mrs. Kampp in Denmark). (Oct. 1933), Benagaria. (Dec 1938), Kaerabani. (Nov. 1924), Eklakhi.

183 ill MALMSTROM, MISS I. NIELSEN, MRS. DINA; ROSENLUND, REV. & MRS. R. PEDERSEN, MISS J. O. (Dec. 1937), Eklakhi. (Nov. 1912), Maharo. (Febr. 1910), Kaerabani. (N ov. 1935), Saldoha. From Norwa'!j: AASLAND, Miss MARIE, BUTTEDAHL,. MISS MAGNHJLD, DIESEN, MISS NANCY, FOSSLAND, MR. & MRS. G. GAUSDAL, REV. & MRS. J. GLAD, REV. & MRS. W. HALVORSRUD, REV. & MRS. H. JOHANSEN, J. ESQR. JOHANSEN, REV. & MRS. 8. KIPPENESS, REV. & MRS. H. LANDOY, REv. & MRS. M. LOHNE, MISS LAURA, l\ulme, REV. & MRS. A. NESSET, MISS SOFIE, OFSTAD, REV. & MRS. K. PEDERSEN, REV. & MRS. P. SIGUID>SEN, MISS EDLE. SOMMING, Miss SOLVEIG, STRONSTAD, REV. & MRS. A. E. TROMBORG. REV. & MRS. K. WESTBORG, MR. & MRS. D. (Oct. 1933), 'on furl. (Dec. 1927), on furl. (Dec. 1911, Maharo. (Nov. 1937, Santipara. (Nov & Jan. 1919), Dumka. (Nov. 1931), on furl. (Oct & Nov. 1937), Gaorang. (Nov. 1980), Saldoha. (Nov. 1935), Narainpur. (Nov. 1937), Basetkundi. (Oct. 1936), Febr. 1940), Joema. (Oct. 1923), Koroya. (Nov. 1935), on furl.. (March 1932), Gaorang. (Nov & March 1918), (Ynfurl. (Jan & Nov. 1935), Tilabani. (Nov. 1934), Mohulpahari. (Feb. 1933), Haraputa. (Nov. 1934), Chondorpura. (Sap & Oct. 1923), Benagaria, (Jar ), Bongaigaon. The Swedish, Gooch Behar Mission: BRANDT, REV. & MHos. A. W. MORTENSON, lliss STINA. PIHLQUIST, MISS ELSE. (1925), on furl. (Nov. 1939), Cooch Behar. (Dec. 1938), Cooch Behar.

184 THE AMERICAN BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Augsburg Seminary, Minneapolis, Minn. U. B. A. President: Vice President: REV. ODD GC)RNITZKA REV. J. C. AABERG. Secretary and Treasurer: REV. B. A. HELLAND. Members - DR. SILAS C. AND1<1RSEN REV. J. O. BLANES REV. M. C. DrxEN MR. C. P. HEIDE PROF. A. HELLAND' REV. NILS KLUNGTVEDT REV. H. IRVING PETERSEN MISS RUTH SKOUHOLT REV. HAAKON JORGENSEN REV. P. L. MORK REV. CHR. G. OLSEN MR. VIGGO SOREXSEN PROF. C. M. WESWIG Publication "THE SA.NTAL MISSIONARY" DANISH BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Valbygaarilsve} 76, Copenhagen, Denmark. President: Secretary: REV. MARIUS HANSEN, D. D, Copenhagen. REV. VALD -CHRISTIANSEN, Aarhus. Treasurer: MR. RICH. HENRIKSEN, St. Strandstrade 9, K. Copenhagen. Members-,REV RORDAM CLAUSSEN. REV. A. THELLE. REV. G. SCHroLER. CARLSEN SKIODT, ESQ. V. FIBIGER, ESQ. REV. H. WINDING. Publication: "SANTAL-POSTEN "

185 v THE NORWEGIN E;iOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Holbergs Gate 23, Oslo, Norwa!J. President REV. H. E. WISLOFF. Vice President: Secretary: REV. E. HALLEN, HOLBERGS GATE ~3, OSLO Treasurer":. MISS ASTA OPSAHL, HOLBERGS GATE 23, OSLO. Members - MISS S. LOKEN. A. GrMNEs, ESQ. REV. M. JOHNE. MIss M. KrNNERoD. OLBERG, ESQ. Publication ~, SA}lTALEN " The Committee of the American Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church REV. J. C. AA.BERG, President REV. H. PLA..lIIBECK, Secretary. MISS S. OSTERGAARD, Minneapolis, Treasurer. Kvinniiag Missions Arbetre. Biger Jarlsgatan 67, Stockholm. Secretary: MISS M. JOSEPHSON.

186 vi INDIAN PASTORS. Andreas Murmu 1924, Dumka (Dumka P. 0.) B~ij~l RiisdaR: 1924, Gamharp~h~ri (Benagaria P. 0.) Bajun Murmll, 1939, Amgachi, Dhgrgrnpur (Kumrabad P.O.) Bhikulal HasdaR 1937, Majdiha (Katikund P.O.) Bhobendro Narjary 1942, (Bongaegaon P.O.) Bhgggn Murmu 1938, Rangeli (via Jogbani Purnea) Bosonto Kumar Dutta 1940, (Suri) Budhr~i HasdaR: 1937, Badhar, Rajsbahi (Talanda P.O.) Ch~ku TIlQ.u 1937, Ranga, Chgndgrpura (Amrapara P. O. Cunn Murmu 1943, Tarni (Katikund P.O.) Dhononjoy Jha 1923, Dangalpara (Dumka P.O.) Emanuel TuQ.u 1929, Simoldohi (Moheshpur P.O.) G~Iu Sgr~n 1928, Chondorpura (Katikund P.O.) Gulu Murmu 1940, Potra (Bansihari P.O.) Jalpa Sgr~n 1901, (Retired) James Hopna Soren 19 ~2, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) J~tu Murmu 1942, Mornai (ljingdinga P.O.) John Roy 1941, Cooch Behar. Jghgn HasdaR: 1933, Dhgrgmpur (Kumrabad P.O.) Johon Murmn, 1939, Dumbria, Maharo (Jarmundi P.O.)... John Jotadhari Das 1940, (Mohulpahari P.O.) Joseph HasdaY: 1940, Tilabani (Asanbani P.O.) Jujhar Soren 1941, Santal Labour 00. Kl}.lu Kisku 1931, Chgndgrpura (Katikund P.O.) Kanhu TuQ.u 1939, Grahampur (Dingdinga P.O.) Karan Sgr~n 1934, Dumka. Khudil}. Ml}.rJ].Q.i 1931, (Mohulpahari P.O.) Lgdg SQr~n 1923, Sapadoha (Benagaria P: 0.) Lgkhgn H~mbrgm 1930, Manjad~bri (Dingdinga P. 0.) Lopsa SQr~n 1932, (Retired)

187 Mahara.j Bhandari 1937, (NimaBarai p~ 0., Malda) Mansitl 'fuc;lu 1937, Koroya (Dumlca P.O.) Modhu Sudon Kisku 1940, Phoridpur (Habr~ P.O.) ~QDgQl HemhrQm 1933, Jithia (Benagaria P.O.) MQilgQl Kisku 1930, Rautnagar (Ranisanlchail P.O.) Munshi Hembrom 19411, Santed Labour 00. Naran SQren 1934, Kaerabani (Kaerabani P.O.) Nimb~i Murmu 1941, Santipara (Bongaegaon P.O.) Olichoron. Boro 1932, Gaorang (Haltugaon P.O.) P~ul Murmu 1935, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) Peter Murmu 1943, Beldaoga (Sagardighi P.' 0.) Pitor H~tobrQm R~ti~ 1928, Ransupur (Dingdinga P.O.) BQrQ 1911, Haraputa (Gossaingaon P.O.) Ruben Murmu 1933, MaLaro (Dumka P.O.) Ruben Murmu 194~, Jolesori (Kochugaon P.O.) Ruben Soren 1941, Saldoba (Mohulpahari P.O.) Sibram M~rl1Q.i 1939, Basetkundi (Maheshpur P.O.) Simon Murmu 1929, Kboribari (Anailkamat P. ' 0.) Simon Baske 1938, Dum (Dumka P.O.) Sodanondo Baske 1939, Benag~ri~ (Benagaria P.O.) Srina.tb Biswas Rampurbat. Suphol Hembrom 1941, ~arayanpur (Teor P.O.) Ta'rani Iswary 1942, Gaorang (P.O.) rik~ Murmu 1942, Cirapathor (Katikund P.O.)

188 THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1943., This annual report a bout the work of the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches has also to be written while the terrible war rages with unabated fury round the world, and a word from the sacred pages comes to mind: "Glorious things are spokim of thee, 0 City of God. " Psalm 87, 3. Only as far as a Christian mission activity is part of the Holy City of God does it deserve survival through the great agony of our time. The most precious jewel may become covered by dust and dirt and lose all its beauty. A chosen and valuable tree may become entirely covered by useless and worthless creepers. The Sacred City of God may fall from its unique splendour to become "a den of thieves,,. as the Lord found the temple of His time. It has become usual to count the modern misslonary a.ge from the year 1792 when William Carey preached his famous sermon from Isaiah 54, 2-3 under two main heads., expect great things from God " and "atte~pt great things for God ". That led to the formation of a Foreign Mission Association, and the one led to many more, and the Protestant Christian churches had found a suitable form for the activity of carrying the Gospel message to every corner of the world. The mission activity was carri~d on with sucb devotiop tb!!-t in o\lr tilil~

189 2 'l'he SANTAL MISSION OF 'l're NORTHERN CHURCHES. I: to take it up in a missionary spirit" is a recommendation in this country and, we can daily hear about., political missions" and in this ou~ evil time even 'bombing missions '". The Christia~ missionary movement has become worldwide. organized, and also recognized; but the real spirit of the missionary movement is to be found in words like this:.f I have given th~m thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. _ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the. evil. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." J oh. 17, Through this time of agony the missionary movement is called upon to examine its abode, whether it remains the City of God or not. This Mission also has by now seen a great number of years. It was started, so to say, in an ordinary mud cottage of a Santa Is villlage named Belbuni, south of Asanbani some time. in the month of September 1866, and the founding of the first station at Benagaria took place a year later in the most humble way. But the Word of God was brought into the Santali language and into the life of the Santal community, and the number of those accepting the living message has constantly been on the increase. And. Santal Christians have been instrumental in taking the same priceless message to the Boros in Assam and also at times been able to win some of the superior feeling Bengalees for the Lord. But it is well to remember that when the autumn storm rages the withered leaves fall. the dry brancher break off, and even whole trees are uprooted. That is a page of destruction in nature h~ading on to a new one

190 SEVENTY--BEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 3 of reqonstruction and healthy growth. And in the structure of the human society such a time of' destruction as we are in, is equally much a time of reconstruction and hope. The human society has seen many forms and is always liable to changes; but the City of God shall abide for 'ever. ~he year 1943 was from beginning to end characterized by the elementary necessity of procuring 'food. Universa~ nervousness was noticeable everywhere, among tillers of the soil as well as among those of service with monthly pay. In some areas where we are working the price of rice and paddy went as high as seven times the level of 1942~ and at the, close of the year it was about three time the level of Everyone will understand that such conditions create fres'h difficulty for a strained work like ours. But though it is true that the elementary necessity of procuring food has had a,priority claim on all and everybody, this in itself is not contrary to the rellgious!jfe our Lord has asked us to lead. "Give us this day our daily bread ',' is a prayer we have from Him, and it would be well if we through such years learned to give thanks for the mercy received when we have gotten "the daily bread ". It is the hardest time imaginable for missionaries when they have to see people arround suffering from want and their own funde; do not enable them to help as need would be. Tears have been shed during 1943 from this agony. Happil enough the rainy season was seasonable and both the maize crop and the paddy crop WEre excellent. so by the end of the year the majority of the surviving population was again appearing to be well-fed, though somewhat' less than well-clad.

191 ,. THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. As a Mission Society we ha.ve experienced the faithful s:u.pport of bur American Board and the War Emergency Comntittee of the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India and, received the c.ontinued 1.iberal grants for a number of institutions from t,he provincial Governments of Bihar, Bengal and Assam, and also a very large special non-recurring grant of &S. 15,000/ for the Saldoha Leper Colony when food 'prices threatened to force a close down. The Church of Scotland S~ntal Mission has likewise continued to support the Kaerabani and Maharo schools and their Santal Chris'tian community has continued to send UR their quarterly self-sacrificing offerings. The Royal Norwegian Government in London remembered us with a donation this year also, and so did some individual friends. Weare indeed indebted to high and low for so much help, support and encouragement. Messrs. N orinco Limited" Calcutta, has been the Managing Agents of the Mornai Tea, Garden, and even through this year of greatly increased expenditure has the garden given a good outturn and also a fair net surplus. No mlsslonaries could go on furlough and no missionaries returned from homelands during the year under review. As nearly the whole staff has been out more than what we are accustomed to' call a period, we have continued to give some of them extended stay in hill stations. A few have had to go into hospitals for treatment and have gained new strength and it looked as. if we should get through this year also without any serious loss. But on the 18th of December the Reverend Ma.gnus Landoy died from double pneumonia at Joema Mission station, leaving behind a bereaved wife and a baby of six months ;-and a. Mission stunned by such a great a.nd 8udden 108S.

192 Magnus Landoy came from Sunnfjord' on the West" coas.t of Norway. During his time of study at Oslo he worked his way, and was thus a very experienced person when he arrived on. the mission' field in the fall of He was almost at once placed at Joema station and grew quickly and intimately into the work there. In 19&0 he married Miss Adelaide Alberts, and as her home is in America they had planned to go to the U. S., A. on furlough as soon as travel should become somewhat feasible. But that should D?t be for him; he was laid to rest near the Joema church, and his grave will bear witness about a life devoted to the work of our Lord. But the Santal Mission has sustained a very great loss. And words fail to express our sympathy with Mrs. Landoy and little Anne, who will never be able to remember her father. "According to Thy promise, 0 God, be Thou the defender of the widow and the Father of the orphan ", we pray in church, and may this truth come with consolati9n whenever needed. The Executive Committee of the Mission met at Dumka in January, April, July and October, and the main problem to deal with every time was the emergency measures in connection with the high prices. The Missionary Conference met 11th-15th December to face the pro.blem of keeping the work going the coming year also may become the year of crisis in this great conflagration, and-as we believe-the year of the great victory and liberation of two of our homelands. The small items of news which we have re ceived from Norway and Denmark indicate that our Mission organiza.tion in those countries has not been destroyed and that the missionary spirit is as active as ever; but that, on a.ccount of present conditions, they cannot even communicate with us, much less can they send us a.ny sup- 1l0rt. Naturally we do not know much about how things

193 {) THE SMtTAL MISSION OF rhe NORTHERN CHURCHES. a:re there. We have heard with grief tbat one very faithful friend of this Mission, Vice-President of. the Norwegian Board, Mr. B. H. Ronsberg, suddenly died early in the year at his home close to Oslo. May God grant strength and faith to those he left behind I From Denmark, according to a radio message, our aged Trustee, Pastor Emeritus Count Viggo Moltke, died last summer. The love such devoted persons have given to this work bears fruit in the continued existence of the work. J. GAUSDAJ....

194 WORK IN BIHAR.KAERABANI DISTRICT...:\5 in the previous annual report we shall also as regards the year 1943 have to report about changes. In J ambua, in our " farthefi3t West ", a building for the accomodation of the school-master and the pastor was constructed. As yet we have no pastor there but hope to have one in the near future. Mongol Besra was transfer. red to J ambua from Dighari. In his place as leader in the Dighari congregation came Daniel Tudu from Dhobona. Both these men have during the year had the burden -of sorrow added to the burden of their duties, as their wives died. In both cases the children have had to be placed with their grand parents. We have a feeling that the work has not been in vain in those two places. And the same might be said concerning Dhobona where J agdis Kisku (from Pahrudi) was placed. But also in Babhondiha a change -had to be made. Pastor Bhogon Murmu volunteered to go as a pastor into a new field fa.r to the North to a place where several Santals have la.tely emigrated from other areas where we have hither to been working. A. committee of Santals are conducting the new work and Bhogon is their missionary. We over here miss Bhogon in the work. But we also hope that by leaving us for such work he will by his example be a.n encouragement. We need a wider outlook and that is just wha..t is opened to us in this new work.

195 8 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHUROHES. These cha.nges have, necessitated meetings and deliberations in our Church-Council over here, given us more experience, awakening more anxiety and care and a heavier feeling of responsibility for the work. Along with that I think it ought to be emphasized that 1943 with its dearness problems showed at the close of the account, for Church collections and other offerings an increase of Rs as against the year It is certainly a great ~ncouragement for which we are thankful especially as the increase is to a large extent due to increasing collections in the., out-station congregations ". The workers over here are besides the above mentioned: Pastor N aran Soren, Kaerabani station: Daniel Marndi in Monohor: Jonas Hasdak' in Domboria (at the time of this being written, incapacitated by some brain trollble ); Chondo Hembrom in Domkata: Siblal Kisku in the comparatively new congregation at Sagra near Palajuri to the North: Budhrai Kisku in one of the loneliest mission station I have ever seen (to the South-east). Rak. The two Bible Women, Lachmi and Kornel's mother here at Kaerabani. As regards the village school work we have had the following teachers: Somae Murmu in Dhobona; Nitanondo :M:arndi. (son of Karu Pastor who died several years ago in Maida). in his village Monhor. where his uncle Da.niel is living; Bajun Soren in Babhondiha; Karan Murmu in Jambua. Munsi from Domkata (elder brother of Nitanondo) has started studying theology in our Divinity School in Chondorpura. We miss him, but his work for some years in a vill.. age school is a good preparation for congregational work and also a good base for a theological training. R. ROSENLUND.

196 SEVENTY:""SE VENTH ANNUAL REPORT. KAERABANI SANTAL HIGH SCHOOL. There has been a further red.uction in the number of students since The difficulty in obtaining food kept many boys from joining the school in J a.nuary 1943, and some day-schojar~ who began the school-year could not attend the classes the last part of the year because it was difficult for them to reach the school and do their school work on an empty stomach. The recruitment. to the w~r service has also this year taken some students from the school, but other boys haye joined the school financed by relatives ih the war service. We are ~hankful to' have been able to carryon the work and maintain the school in 1943 inspite of very great difficulties in the country. THE HIGH SCHOOL. The High School (High & Middle classes) had 219 students of whom 58 were in the four High School classes, while the four Middle School classes had 161. T.he work in the classes was faithfully carried out by' the staff, and the results of the examinations were very satis- factory. Of the 7 students who appeared for the Matricula.tion examination under Patna. University, 71% passed. 2 of these 5 passed in the second division, one being a,. Santa!. In the Middle School examination 94% passed, 35 students were sent up and 33 passed. In the rest of the classes the average percentage of passes was 90. The religious instruction was carried on faithfully by the Christian staff who volunteered to take a Bible period every morning in each class in addition to the ordinary cla.ss routine. During the year some cha nges ha ve been made in the staff. We have secured a trained graduate for the upper classes, who seems to settle down in Kaer.abani. B

197 10 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Gora Tudu an old Kaerabani boy has joined the sohool after finishing his teaohers' training in Bhagalpur. We also have a new mathematios teacher for the High School. The -annual prize distribution took place on the 30th of March. Mr. W. G. Archer, 1. C. S., the Deputy Commissioner of Santal Parganas, kindly presided and Mrs. Archer gave away the prizes. We have had the privilege of getting Mr. W. G. Archer as a member in 'the Governing Body, and he has been a great help to us during the year. We ext~nd our -hearty thanks to him for this good help and encouragement. Kaerabani being far away from public communications and the shortage of petrol in the country have probably hinde:red the Inspecting office1"s from coming to the school.. We are thankful to the Government of Bihar for the grant we have received for the High School. GURU TRAINING SCHOOL. The work in the Training-School was carried on normally. Nine guru students _ appeared at the examination in November 1942, and all passed. They are all in teaching work now. A new batch of students was taken in in January. We have received with thanks Rs. 600/- in grant from the Government of Bihar. THE LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL. The number of students in the Lower Primary school was 116. The work was carried on steadily under the sepervision of Mr. J. Minz. Visits were paid by the Sub Inspector of Schools who expressed his sa tisfactiod with the work done. We have received Rs. 480/- in grant from the local Government, for which we are thankful. HOSTEL. Appro~m~telr 170 boys w~re living in the hostel,

198 We had to ta ke ina few more boys during the rainy season as they were starving at home. -The life in the hostel went on peacefully. The boys seemed happy and contented and join~d in their games with great enthusiasm. SCHOOL-DISPENSARY. We were troubled with quite a lot of malaria among the boys in 1943; fortunately we had enough Quinine for their treatment. But we are anxious for the new year concerning Quinine. The little we get from Government (4 oz) is far from enough and the market prices for Quinine are enormous. There was a little empidemic of chicke:r:t-pox among the boys; all recovered very quickly. Weare very thankful that w.e did not have any serious illness among the boys in Dr. E. Ostergaard from Benagaria Hospital came to examine the boys. the st~ff and people in the compound and from the district. ' We thank Dr. E. Ostergaard for coming here and a.1f!}0. for his great help in supervising the dispensary. We!lope that we will be able to meet the demand of meqiejnes for the boys in the coming year. Also during this year some non-christian boys from our school have been baptised. JOHS. KROHN. r: 11 DUMKA DISTRICT. On Sunday the 11th of April we had church servioe as usual in the forenoon. and at 4. P. M, a severe hailstorm froid N. W. struck us. The whole of the north half of the church roof was slllashed as if it had been bombarded from the clouds. Hails as big as a fist were seen. Ha~pily we ha.d no loss of life.

199 12 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHUROHES. Materials are not obtainable nowadays, and transport nearly impossible, so the outlook was very sad; but to our great relief.left-over asbestos slates were found both at.lca.erabani, Maharo and the Benagaria Hospital, and thus we were enabled to get the rqo( on again, though it had. to be done hastily before the rains should set in. All tiled buildings were also much damaged, and since that day we have been much burdened with repairs, and we a.re not yet through it. Labour is expensive and materials both costly and difficult to get. And in the last big rain of this rainy season the I' Barrel" on top of the ~itchen collapsed, adding to the previous. heavy programme of.repairs. Otherwise the work in the Dunika, Ranga, Chukapani and Dum area had a quiet year in Mis~ion work both by preachers and teachers was carried an as usual. Chur~h members had their share in the universal anxiety. of the time, and we hope that the regular services in emu-roh listening to the Word of God and enjoying the fellowship of believers gave them encouragement. 'The women's II Cuput' Canda" and the "Mela" in November were the two most encouraging features of the year. Church collections amounted to Rs !.1, "OllPl1t' Cando." to Rs , and the "Mela" to Rs ~. It is noteworthy that the last was planned and managed entirely by the Santals themselves. The workers were the same as last year. Karan pa.stor was only able to make one long tour to Santal units on the eastern side. He came back with infection of kala-azar, and it took him weeks of treatment to get over,it. Jujhar.and Munsi pastors have continued with their :units far off, and have been doing good service' The contact with the Santal Companies wa.s maintained '&8,far a.s possible fl"om our side. Letters were replied to, books supplied. money taken care,of, etc.

200 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 13 And the Red Cross Central for Sa.ntal Parganas was also.ta.ken care of in the Mission House for many months of the year. INGRID & JOHANNES GAUSDAL.,DUMKA BENG~LI WORK. This year some repair had to be done to the small house' used for Bengali worship in Dangalpara. T1,le building had a.t one time been used as a reading room for students from the High School and only for some years as a place of regular worship. N ow we decided to remove a partition wall and give the interior an appearance fit for a small church, and after this was completed we had a dedication service on the 30th of May. A member of the Tamil E. L. Church was at that time working in an office here in Dumka and was with us on that occasio~ and took part in the service. J. GAUSDAJ KOROYA. KOROY A MISSION AND o RP.HANAGE. When we look back upon the past year with the 'many difficulties and much sickness, both in our compound as well as out in villages, with scarcity of food and high price~, we feel very thankful to God who has helped UB through. He has again proved His faithfulness in helping His children, for which we praise. Him. Our workers have tried to do their work and encouraged the people to trust in God. Who alone can helve

201 i4 T,iIE SANTAL MissioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Church attendance has been far from good. The reason may be that so many of the men-folks are a way for different kinds of work, and beside that hunger and sickness. None has been baptized fro~ among the heath-, ens either 'here or in Majd~ha. Six girls were confirmed after some weeks' instruction. We have continued our Bible reading and prayer meetings as well as Sunday School. ORPHANAGE. We have at present 20 children in the Orphanage. One boy who finished his M. E. wilj enter High School next year. His brother, who is in the Observer Corps, will pay his expenses. One girl also passed her M. E. The girl who has been taking her nurses' training finished that in February and is now taking midwifery course. Five new children have been admitted in our Orphanage. One girl who failed in her 7th class test exam. is now earning her Ii ving by working here in the house. SCHOOL. It has been,rather a difficult year for the school work. Much sickness and starvation prevented the children from attending school regularly. The teaching staff has been four. Four children passed in their U. P. examination and one got his U. P. scholarship. MAJDIHA. The work has been carried on by the Pastor and two evangelists. The school work there is getting on nicely. Five boys passed their U. P. examination. We are thankful to God and friends who ha.ve enabled us to carryon this year, too. LAURA LOHNE~

202 SEVENTY-SEYENTH ANNUAL REPORT. ls MAHARO DISTRICT. This year we have felt very much that we need more workers. Our pastor, Ruben Murmu, has been so busy looking after different problems that came up among the members of his flock that he hardly gets time for his real pastoral work. His only helper this year also is Lodhea: he is good in many ways, but we need help. Four young men were baptized and have a few who are asking for baptism; but it is very difficult to get them instru'cted with the workers we have. I am glad to say that our Biblewoman, N oha, this new year, has a new companion, Rani. Her husband is a cook; Miss Sigurdsen recently i brought them here. May Rani be a good helper! At Assanthar Dhanai has been the preacher; he has seen three baptized there from the Mahra caste, who do not understand Santali, so he has to talk to them in Bengali after the sermon on Sundays. In his place we got Samuel as teacher, but it does not seem a good change for the school; we will try Samuel one more year. At Dum brio. we have the same two workers, J ohon Murmu, the pastor, and Ehator. There seems to be a good spirit in that little congregation, but none have been added. At Jalwae there must be a change, as Mirja seems to be unable to keep the few ChristianR together. The great ne.ed all over is for a revival amongst us; we keep on praying for that. The fact that so many of our young boys are away from thehornes makes the atmosphere so different amongst us. What will they bring when they come back 1. We are afraid. It may be good, it may be evil. They will be very changed: we feel that when they come home on holidays,

203 t6 THE SANTAL. MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCHES. Our weekly meetings in the villages around have been few for the above mentioned reason. The same about ca.mping; it seems almost impossible to get away. - The church attendance has been fairly good, and so I close this little report wondering that inspite of all life is liv~d so smoothly in this little corner of the world, and that we are able to gather in peace both for wor ship and for school work. And we wonder with thankful hearts, how God is able to supply all we need for soul and body in such times! Therefore. inspite of the feeling that we have been able to do very little we thank God that we are allowed to keep on. May it be to the glory of His name! May His kingdom come 1 DINA NIELSEN. MAHARO GIRLS M, E. AND TRAINING SCHOOL. We ha. ve again proved that the Lord is faithful and "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ". It did so often seem difficult to get what we needed for our big family. both of food and other necessities, but our Hea.venly Father carried us through. We started the year with 214 girls on the roll and ended it with 194. Some always drop out after the sum I mer holiday, and I am sorry to say that we had to expel 3 - for bad behaviour. 13 girls appeared at the Middle Certificate examination and all passed. One girl passed with honour and distinction in English, another passed with distinction in' arithmetic. 2 girls appeared in English dilly: and both passed. One girl has obtained U. P. scholarship. 2 girls sa.t for the L. ;Po schola.rship exa.mina.tion,

204 SEVENTT-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORt. 17 but the result is not yet known. From the Training class 10 girls appeared at the Junior Teachers' certificate examination. The result is not yet known. All who appeared the previous year pa,ssed. We were so thankful,that we did not have any rea:! s~rious illness among the children; the health of the students was as a whole good. We want to express our gratitude to our teachers for their good and faithful work. We have an exceptionally good staff and they are helping us in so many ways. As before. the girls themselves have done all the work in their cottages. We are glad they manage to do it as well as they really do. It is of help to them that we have no school on Saturdays. so they get time for looking after things in their homes. We have had our Sunday morning prayer meeting and Light Bea'rer meetings as before. In October we had pastor Kalu Kisku to take meetings for some days in the school and we received both encouragement and blessing from them. We close the year with thanks to all who have helped us by their prayers and gifts. We know that our friends and our homelands, Denmark and Norway, are upholding us by their prayers, and we are thankful to our American friends and the Scotch Mission for ali they have been doing for us in these difficult years. N ANOY DIESEN.

205 1.8 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. MOHULPAHARI DISTRICT. "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." From a statistical point of view we cannot say that this year shows much progres.s in the work. It is a sad fact that instead of an expected revival and progress in the work there have been signs of growing lukewarmness. During the year the food sho:rtage was very much felt by many of our Christians, but the fine harvest of rice in the last 3 months gave a brighter outlook for the future. And we hope and pray that the word of salvation sown out this year also shall accomplish that which pleases the Lord of the harvest. We are thankful to God that our Sunday services and our work in the villages could be carried on as :usual. At the close of the rainy season one family in Lokhonpur village and one family in Mohulpahari village came and asked for instruction. If they prove to be in earnest in their seeking the Kingdom of God they will be baptized in the new year. To our congregation here the aeath of Kandna Hembrom, teacher in Ambajora school, was a great loss. He will be remembered by many parents and children as a very faithful Christian worker. In the middle of october about 270 Christian Santal women from nearly all our congregations in Santal Parganas gathered for 4 days meetings here in Mohulpahari. The Spirit was in our midst, and we believe some hearts were touched and some hands strengthened by the Lord. During the year our two compounders have been helping many suffering people. It has been difficult to supply the medicine needed, especially quinine. For the

206 many non-christian patients short Gospel messages have been regularly given in Santali and Bengali. With greetings and thanks to all who have stood by us in prayer. EDLE SIGURDSEN. 1~ DHOROMPUR & TILABANI DISTRICTS.. DHOROMPUR AND AMGACHI CONGREGATIONS. When the Amgachi pastor, Bajun Murmu, in July was transferred to the Kaerabani district that congregation. too, had to be attended to by Pastor J ohon Hasdak' at Dhorompur. As the only elder we have on that side, Choron Murmu, is old and of somewhat weak health, and besides that lives in the eastern corner of the field, in Honja Rampur, we have during the last half year, especially, felt the need of more workers. The result is as one may expect. One young man from the congregation tried to start a school, first at Nijhor and later a.t Amgachi, but he succeeded only for a short time. We hope now that he may be of some help to us as a preacher. In Dhorompur district itself there are at places signs which indicate that we may expect better times, A few new ones were added to the congregation both last year and this year. As they are of fervent spirit and keen on witnessing, we hope that God by them shall lead now life into the congregation. The school at Dhorompur has not been able to stand the constant changes of tea.chers during the last years ';.,b1,1t we must, hope for more stable conditions.

207 20 THE SANT~ MIssioN OF THE NOTRHE~ O~l;rRCH,ES. ~RIKADOR. In the Karikador congregation several forces appear to have been. at work trying to split the congregation. Illness among the worke:rs has not made matters better. Anpa Tudu, one elder, had to get sick-leave for, a long time and we are afraid that he will not be able to take. up the work again there. When bad elements with influence start to sow discord within the congregation, they cannot be properly served witb only one elder. Four families have been under instruction for baptism, and we hop~ to baptize them soon. TIL A BANI. In the Tilabani district itself we have much to praise the Lord for during the year that has passed. YVhen we except the southern part of the area, we must say that God has opened a door for us. Several families have been added to the congregation,' as well as some single individuals. The attendance at the Women's meetings has been good and children have gathered for Sun.. day' school here and at Bagjobda. Lotabani and Bagjobda are under the elder Mongla, but none has been apded to the congregation. During the year we had two 'Sabha's, one at Dhorompur for the adjoining districts, 'and one at Tilabani. May the Lord in mercy send labourers to the fields and grant us in the coming year a greater harvest! P. PEDERSEN. CHONDORPURA DISTRICT. Thi~ year we have been' able to devote more time to the district work than at any time' since we came 'here. During the cold season we camped at several outstations visiting the sur-rounding ~llages with th~ worken.

208 At the beginning of the hot season (.23rd March- 9th April) we had a time of great blessing during the Bible course for workers and others from all districts in Santal Parganas. A spirit of Christian fellowship was most evident throughout the three weeks we were together. Many said that they had received a fresh vision of their Saviour and the task to which He had called them and expressed the desire that such larger Bible courses for the workers be held Yearly. The only change in the staff has been that Chunu Murmu moved to Tarni in January. After his' ordination, which took place in Dumka, Whitsunday June 13, the district was divided into four pastorates. Chunu Murmu became the. pastor to Tarni and Bhalsungia, Tika Mumu to Chirapathor and Amgachi, Chaku Tudu to Ranga and Gadiapani and Galu Soren to Bhitra, Pandanpaha.ri and Chondorpura. Mongla Marndi, Bhalsungia, was appointed to help in the work there and occasionally conduct Sunday survices. During the the year the workers have been placed as follows, the figure- in ( ) being' the total number of Christians in each local congregation:- Ra11;ga (80):- Pastor Chaku Tudu Elder Raja Marndi Teacher J ohon Hasdak' Gadia/Jatli- (169) :- Eider Bhaero Murmu Teacher Ramchoron Murmu Ckotorckua school: Teacher Sorkar murmu Bkalsutlgia (93):- Asst. Elder Mongla Marndi Tarni (167):- Pastor Chunu Murmu Elder Joseph Murmu " Joseph Marndi Ckira/Jatkor (118) : Pastor Tika M urrn u Elder Singrai Murmu Teacher Paul Murmu Aingachi (190): Elder Shim Marndi " Gopal Soren

209 22 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CitURCHES. Pandan/Jakari (54): Elder Ronjon Murmu Bkitra (35):- Elder Munshi Murmu Clwndor/Jura ~ 495 ) :r Pastor Gal u Soren " Kalu Kisku Teacher Barnabas Marndi " Porimola Hembrom Monthly women's meetings have been held, and during the hot season a confirmation class for girls was held once a week for four months. There was an attendance of 20, all of whom were confirmed in June. Part of the year a weekly Bible class for illiterate men was held in Chondorpura, but only very few could be persuaded to attend. In December we had the joy of receiving back into the church one of our former elders, Bhogon ':,jhem brom with family, who for some years had been Roman Catholics. The total number of baptisms during the' yea'r 'is 49. In the school work we have had the encouragement that three of our schools, i. e. Chondorpura. Chotorchua and Ranga, have been recognized as L. P. s~hools by the Dlstrict Inspector of Schools, S. P. It certainly is a great privilege that we have been a.llowed to carry on the work undisturbed, in peace and quiet, and have had enough fo'r our daily need, while others have had to be in the midst of war, famine and persecution. "- His merciful kindness is great toward us, t. Praise ye the Lord." (Pe. 117, 2). ALVHILD & A. E. STRONSTAD.

210 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 23 SAN TAL DIVINITY SCHOOL. The school remained closed during the year, but it may be reported that three Bible courses were conducted for the Santal workers and others in all three fields. The first was held in Chondorpura during the hot season, from 23rd March to 9th April. The atendance was 73, and lectures were given alternately by 5 missionaries and 3 Santal pastors. The second was held in N arayanpur (Dinajpur) from 19th to 29th October. and was attended by 43. the majority of whom were Santal workers from MaIda and Dinajpur. The third course was held in Grahampur for the Assam field from 1st to 13th November. Here the attendance varied between 50 and 60; at some meetings up to 100 people were present. At these two courses lectures were given by pastor Kalu Kisku and myself. According to the decision of the Executive committee at its April meeting, preparations have been made for the opening of the school again in January next. Students from North Bengal and Assam were selected a t the Bible courses on recommendations by the North Bengal Santa I Church Council, the Assam Church Council and the Boro Church Council. From the Santal Parganas areas the students were selected on recommendations by the local district-missionary. Altogether 18 students ha ve been selected. It may be added that the second teacher, pastor Kalu Kisku. was granted a stipend for further study,.and he visited the Allahabad Bible Institute during the first half of the year. The rest of the year he has helped. in the congregational work. besides ~iving lectures t\t two of

211 24 'J.1HE SANTAL MISSION OF 'l'he NORTHERN OHURCHES. the above Bible courses and taking part in the prepara. tions for the opening of the new three years' course. On the 22nd of December the first meeting of the Divinity 'School committee was held at Dumka., The number of students selected was approved, and the rate of their stipends and other allowances was fixed. Questions regarding the genera.l governing of the school, such as the curriculum for both the men's and women's classes were discussed. The staff is taking the many suggestions and hints into account. It is also recorded with gratitude that the Rev. R. Rosenlund has written a book on Dogmatics in Santali, which we hope will soon be printed, Looking forward to welcoming the new batch of students with their wives we earnestly solicit the continued prayers and help of all friends near and far.' ALVHILD & A. E. STRONS'FAD. SAL DOHA LEPER OOLONY AND DISTRICT. Another year has passed and we are thankful to report that we were able to continue the work here at Saldoha on about the same scale as before. On the last day of 1942 a meeting of the Board of Management of the Colony was held here at Saldoha, mainly to discuss the most difficult situa tion rising out of the increased prices of foodstuffs. It was provisionally decided that day that the number of inmates in the Colony should be restricted to 300. It was further decided to approach Government for extra help. Prior to this decision a letter had already been sent to Government asking for an increase in the Oa'pitation Grant. This was alsq finally granted, the Capitation Grant being raised

212 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 25 from Rs. 3/8/- a month to Rs. 5/-. Following the above mentioned meeting a detailed analysis of the financial situation and the prospects of the Colony was forwarded to Government. pointing out that unless substantial help was forthcoming it would be impossible to carryon the work. It is most gratifying to put on record that Government responded very liberally and gave us a nonrecurrent grant of Rs. 15,QOO/-. For this we are very thankful. For various reasons it proved impossible to keep the number of patients at the level decided on by the Board, the chief reason being the extraordinary big influx of leper patients during the year, This again was, of course, mainly due to the famine-like conditions in the surrounding districts. During the year 432 lepers were treated as inmates of the Colony and 247 as out-door patients. 7 patients were discharged as symptom free and 6 under odservation. 29 patients were sent home as improved cases to give room for new applicants, In admitting nen patients prefere~ce ha.s been given to infective cases. The medical work of the Colony suffered a great loss when our able and efficient medical officer, Dr. S. P. Ghose, after 4~ years of service, l~ft us in August to join military service. We have been fortunate to get Dr. K. N. Biswas to serve in his place. The chief occupation of the patients bas continued to be agricultural work. New pieces of land hp.ve been broken up and added to the cultivated area of the Colony. Further big areas await the tiller's hand. Epidemics of malaria have this year made big inroads on available la.bour. In addition to the agricultural work our workshop with its weaving and carpentry sections ha~ given occupation 1>

213 26 THE 8.ANt:4.L MISSION Q:r Tlf.:m N'Q.J{TlI:ma:N CiIURCHES. to quite a. few young peqple. All ~e:p$.ir work on houses In the Colony bas been undertfltken by the pat~~~ts th~msqlves. The ed1,1.c,ational and apidt.ua1. work h~,s gone. on much as in J?revious years..all chhdren in the Colony attend school ~nd adult classes have also been in existence. 21 patients h~ve- been ba:pth;ed during the year. In the dieltl'ict Ruben pastor with the help of elders and Biblewomen has carried on the work. At the close of the year 8 people were baptized and admitted to the congregation. We long for greater openings in the villages round about and for awakening among,st the Christians. The number of village schools in the district is 3 besides the U. P. School here at Salftoha. * * "Behold, I make all things new". This is a word we like to carry with us into the year confronting us and would like to 'give it a many-sided' application. The world at large, as well as we in our restricted sphere of service, needs more than ever the renewing touch of Him who sitteth on the, throne. JOK. JOHANSEN. "PERA HOR." During the year 1943 Pera Hor has been printed in 2400 co,pies. There has been a small increase in the number of subscribers also this year. The extended circulation of the paper amongst the troops which we hoped for did not, howevel", materialise. Quite a few take the pa.,per, but the numbe.r of regular subscribers is wholly

214 incongruous to the number of literate Santals who ha.ve joined up. For a. Chrietian vernacular paper in India copies is, however, a. big impression. According to Mr. Cra-in, who on behalf of National Christian Council inspected Gur Printing Press this year, "Pera Hor" has one of the biggest circulations in India, and seen in relationship to the community it serves, it may be the biggest. While this is encouraging enough, it should not conceal the fact that hundreds of lite-rate Christians in the Missions amongst the Santals do not subscribe to the only available Santali paper, and cooperation from Missionaries and nationals is therefore essential in order to enlist the interest of a11 these out-siders a.nd further increase the circulation. t Paper prices have been very high for some time and difficulties bave also been experienced in getting a sufficient supply. Owing to increasing expenres in publishing the paper we ha ve also this year closed with a deficit. We expect, however, to make up for this next year as we are in hopes of getting paper at Government controlled rates. The subscriptions this year cam~ to Rs. 1,654/- and the subsidy from the Mission has continued to be Rs. 400/-. With somewhat normal prices ruling the paper market, it should be possible to make "Pera Hart. entirely self-supporting. N unku Soren has continued as assistant editor and ha.s given inva.lua.ble and unstinted service. JOH. JOHANSEN.

215 28 THE SAN TAL ~ISSION OF THE N6RTHERN CHURCHES. BASETKUNDI DISTRICT,.... to rulz our appointed course with steadiness, eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer arid perfection of faith " (Heb. 12, 1-2). Here is no doubt the secret in successful Christian work, to keep steady in the course and have the goal clear before one: Him who is the perfection of faith. We have to admit on our part that to learn this is a hard process. One often trembles on, looking forward; trying experiences and disappointments are constantly tempting us to discouragement and to shrink back from faithful service. This is especially realized at a time when' the minds of the Christians also have been increasingly taken up by "the things of this world ", troubled about what to eat anti what to put on the body. This worry sometimes even lurk at one's own door Naturally, also our Indian co-workers have been badly off and.given to much worrying, and hence they have been dangerously tempted to gaze at their own need forgetting that of others. It has been hard. indeed, to help them view the difficulties in a true Christian way. remembering Him who called us to follow through sufferings and also to bear in mind what Christians in other lands are being faced with and going through. ThuB they have' not been able to inspire Congregational much courage among their still less fortunate brethren. Nevertheless, they have work tackled the tasks in their respective congregations and so far, at least have most of them been faithful. When we look at the church attendance in these pla.ces-12 in all, and mostly congregations founded at the early time of the pioneers-we have found it rather too small this year. Still in some of the congregations the workers, the most able among them, are really succeeding our

216 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 29 in making the gathering for.sunday servic~ more importa.nt and more profitable for the attendants. After the ordinary service they keep the whole congregation for 'Sunday School', teaching them and reminding them of the meaning of the Creed and the Lord.'s Prayer and training them in hymn singing and so on. In this and othe."r ways we are trying and hoping to have the brethren a. little more appreciate of the fact that they are saved into a Christia.n fellowship. One of these ways, we have found, is to stimulate the collections, or offerings. It is no easy task to make the Christians feel glad to give more for the Lord's work among them. Still a Sunday in November set apart as Harvest Festival.with a special harvest tl~anksgi ving service brought in about Rs. 135/ worth in rice. offerings of their new crop. This made the Church collection for the year increase by one half of the usual amount. But when thinking of the 1500 Christians in this district we feel, indeed. both anxious and sorry that we have done so poorly at this important point. The future prospect for the Christian community has become serious also in this country and challenges us to consider it earnestly. We feel also sorry that the members of local Church Council3 (one for each congregation) have been very little active. The failure is on our side: For some time we have not been able to gather them at all. But we are glad that during the last half of this year a change has taken place. The workers have been taught repeatedly what "Kristan Man~ler"-the Christian Church-really is, and by Bible readings ane! actual experiellces are being helped to look a little bit deeper into the vital functions of the Church. In this way they have begun to realise that further building up of the Christian community is a tremendous work which can be done only to a very little extent by themselves alone. So now they are realizing the need more clearly and thus themselves urging

217 3-6 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCitES. the members to gather both locally and here a.t the m-ain sta.tion when we call them for Bible reading a.nd prayer and di+mussion of the problems, aiming that they be made more willing to take on them a share of the responsibility as they gra.d~ally waken up to recognize how great and heavy it is. They also seem to reach the understanding that this is rightly expected of them without any kind of pay from the Mission to keep them at it. Now to be able to make steady progress along this line, they have agreed to gather every month with the elders and pa.~tors in our mid-monthly meeting here. The few things now mentioned do not mean that these are new activities. It only goes LO prove that the young Santal Church, in this area at least, still needs tremendous support. Especially the need for spiritual support is very great in these times. As regards some of the eon~gations we feel the burden very heavy, but to bring about an inflow of life into dead forms, that is a super-human task; and still that is the Christian enterprise. We a.re here to be means toward that end-a fact that makes qne tremble. The two pastors and I have tried to bring the Roly Communion to the congregations. We realize that to reach them only 5-6 times, and for some places even less than that during the whole yea.r, is far too little. The elders a.nd pastors ha.ve a.ttended two Bible Cours es, one in Chondorpura in April for nea.rly three weeks, and one here in September. IWhon Ka.lu pa.stor gave us invalua.ble help with his genuine and deep-going Bible teaohing. Also the schools 'ha ve been confronting us TIl, Sclwols with the same old problems. It is a c~allenge tha.t is certainly great and fa.r beyond wha.t we have been a.ble to respond to suooessfully in

218 Itn" way,,; But let the task be- impossible, in the Christia.n serv\ce it will always be SQ.. Still we co.ntinue the struggle of faith to overcome all the attempts of the enemy to J;Uake one lose ho~ We have been fortunate to be able to gather also the teachers twice for refresher courses here at the centre togath8.l' with most of the Governme.nt school t.ea.~hers hereabout. Gora Tudu (a Kaeraba.ni teacher from this district) has b.een the main lacture.r a.nd ha.s done very good and inspiring work. Besides, special efforts have been made to make at least our own Kaerabani trained teachers (quite a few of the Govt. teachers are also Christ-, ians) realise their calling to be a service in and for the Christian community. by which they themselves have been so greatly helped and privile~ed. The fact t'hat they are willing to recognize this makes us expect a result along this line, and the expectation gives us courage. We might mention the sad fact that one of our outstation teachers failed to take any interest in the life and work of the church in that place, even if he- wa.s asked to do or charged 'with it, and finally he also neglected his school and went home to hifl far..a.way village where he for some tim~ was out of our control, and thus discharged himself. An educated young man from the congregation there has now applied. to. become teaohe.r. with the recommendation of the mem bsrs. Both he and they were informed in our District Counoil meeting that he can have no hope for any pay from the Mission for at lea.st ha.lf a. year, thereby giving him time and a chance to prove that he has a mind to serve the Christia.n fellowship in that place. Without this we think the people over there oan do with a Government school as well. This insta.nce is mentione:l only to justify our QPlDlQll th!\ t unless the school teachers a.lso can be led a.nd 31

219 32' THE SAN-TAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. helped to reveal a more true Christian spirit in their attitude to the local congregations, most of the schools in this area - they are now only 7 in all - had better be closed down. Still 2 or 3 of them will remain. namely in places where at least half of the children attending are of Christian parents. The young U. P. Boarding sch'ool here had its 5th class completed at the end of the year. The few boys who sat for examination were passed by Kaerabani censors. Now they have all gone there and been admitted into the 6th class of the High School. But now to help the workers, the elders and pastors as well as the teachers, we desire to go on calling them in for Bible and instruction-courses, as we believe the Lord will truly stand by with strength and wisdom for this important work. Along with this we also desire to reach deeper in understanding of the Santals, their special diffic~lties a~d their way of thinking and feeling. We would also mention with thankfulness what a source of blessing and inspiration it is to oneself to set apart a speeial tiii1e to prepare and share the Word of God with the co-workers. Those who have forsaken the heathen way and have been received into the c()ngregation by holy baptirm this year number only 22. There are also a number who have already taken their stand for Christ, but we found it necessary to urge the workers to give them a more thorough teaching before they be baptized. We have made some efforts to have the elders un derstand the necessity of further instruction of the new Christians after baptism also - prepa.ration for being acce,pted in the Holy Communion fellowship. Of 'these attempts we have seen no re~mlts as yet, at least no visible results. But thinking of the Church of Christ

220 SEVENTY-SEYENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 33 we are thankful for that -side of it which we are not able to look into now-the invisible. What a wonderful day when it will be revealed to us I And we shall find many of the Santals there - Glory to His name! ASTRID & HALFDAN KIPPENES. BENAGARIA DISTRICT. "Thus saith the Lord "- When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the ~re, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." rsiah. 43,1-2. In t~e light of these great words spoken by the prophet of Old, we like to write the short report due for the year past. The expressions "through rivers through fires" do not indicate an easy walk. But still God has been able to take care of his people throughout the ages to the Harne degree that they have leaned upon Him. We would not say that the last year has been like walking throjgh fire. Nevertheless it has been a very hard one for a great many people brought nearer to us than at any time before the effects of the great world war with its terrible destruction, devastation, excitements, anxiet.ies and fears. Shortage and abnormal prices of food made a great number of people in our district unable to provide more than half the "daily bread" for weeks and months. A questioning of our workers revealed that many, (wen amongst the best paid, could only allow themselves and their families half the ration of rice u!ilually con!mmed in a day, if they were not to starve absolutely f~r the last part of the month. This has often been the case inspite of the fact that the Mission has given an increase in their monthly pay of 33& 1/3 % as dearness a.llowance~ E

221 34 'lire S.ANTAL MISSION OF 'lire NORTHERN CHUROHES Pri(}es of cloth went to iuoh prohibitive heights tha.t roajority of our poor country people could only partly meet the need of replenishing their small stock of worn attire. Yet our people met these hardships with great patience and hardly any complaints have been heard in the workers group. Towards the end of the year a great relief came by the new c;rop and Government sale of standard cloth at very reasonable prices. Under the circumstances mentioned above it has not been easy to bring "the Gospel Dles~age to the heart of the village people. Many places a great number would be away to earn their living somewhere else while old people, and perhaps some women and children, would be left behind to look after the house and animals. But we have tried to carryon, praying and hoping that the Lord of the Harvest will bless his own Word and make it bear fruit. As we look back on the year we are very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to baptize 44 persons from amongst the heathens' and admit them into the Ch~istian congregation. Last year the number was 7. The last Sunday of the year we had a festival day with 20 baptisms. One was a baby from a Christian home and the 19 persons from the heathen community. The working staff is the same as last year, with a few alterations. Peter: Murmu, elder at Beldanga, was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel on 13th of June. He is now in charge as pastor of Beldanga and Sohor congregation. Joseph M,lrmu, elder at Narayanpur has discontinued as paid worker and gone to his home in Sulunga villag~, Dasmath Hcmorom, elder at Belbuni 'and his wife. Rubi MU1mu, Bible woman there, have come to their home at Benagaria, while Lotio.Hasdali and his wife Salgi Hembrom have" taken their work at Belbuni. We need more workers. As it is at present, we have no elder at Narayanpur, Dimbadoha and Buruamchua.. P.a.rt of the area at Belbuni outstation has been

222 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 35 expropriated by Government, while the site of the church and the elder's house was left with us, so we can continue with Belbuni as an outstation as previously. For a time PcJstor Bosonto Dotto and his wife stayed at Belbuni to assist in the work, especially a.mong Bengali-speaking people. We are very thankful for their stay and work there. There are seven paid Bible women at present. But three of them are far beyond the age of pension, by which they have not been benefitted. The small monthly allowance they receive is rather to be con- 6idered as old age help than salary. Towards the end of the year, on the 17th of December, one of our best workers as well as one of the best known Christians of the Santal community, ANPI MARNDI, loft this world to be with the Lord. She was about 80 years old. Like so many Santal Christians who have not been baptized as babies, she did not' know her age exactly, but she could remember the arrival of the first missionaries at Benagaria. From childhood her heart had been filled with many thoughts and questions: Who made heaven and earth? Who created man? From where do we come? Whither do we go? Her non-chri~tian relatives, not knowing what to answer, w-ould scold her for such "silly" questions. Among the Christians and from the Gospel she received the knowledge she sought for. Soon she was admitted by baptism into the community of Saints. In Benagaria Girls' school she received the best education available at the time' and from then on became Mrs. Borresen's best helper in the scnool, in the home, in the congregation and everywhere uutil Mrs. Borresen's death in Mother Anpi. as she was called for many years, had a big loving heart and was a true and burning witness for her Lord. N ow a. blessed death has brought her

223 36 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. fa.ce to face with Him in" glory. :mven in old age she would walk around in the villages, stick in hand, visiting Christians, and pleading with non-christians to make use of the grace of God. She used much time in prayer and would name one after the other before the Lord, missionaries and missionary children as well as Indian Christians. During her last two years she had light strokes two, three times from which she partly recovered. But she became weak and had to sta.y in bed the last three, four months. Little by little her thoughts and interel'its would leave out ohe item after the other, with the exception of God and -.His Word from which she drew great strength and comfort. It was always a joy to visit her and see how she brightened up by Christian hymns, prayer and the Word of God. At her burial Pastor Lodo Soren read Rev:- 3, 4 "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis w hieh have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in whi~e. For they are worthy." Probably all present felt that these words could hardly be applied more rightly to any Christian than to Mother Anpi. She left behind only two grand children, one boy now in Kaerabani High School and a smaller girl who stays with the pastor's family at Benagaria. SCHOOLS: We still" look upon the primary VILLAGE SCHOOLS as very important in our mission work. But weare" far from satisfied with their present progress and condition. Still we are grateful for what is being. done. During the year 9 village schools were working with 10 teachers, and 173 pupils. 140 appeared for examination and 122 passed. The UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL for boys and girlr at Bena~aria has worked well. There are 7,teachers on the """""".

224 SEVENTY-SEVE~TH '~ r ANNUAL R1!PORT. 37 staff. Enrolled, 148 pupils. 145 appeared for examination; 114 passed. Weare thankful for a grant of Rs. 60/- per month from the District Board. The INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL has worked' under very hard conditions. In the Weaving section we have had a big sale and, even bigger demand for cloth. But the price of yarn has been prohibitive and weavers could get much better pay as coolie workers at aerodromes etc. Still we have been permitted to carryon and hope to do so in the new year. The students of the Carpentry section were engaged in building work on an aerodrome. This gave us a good income and allowed us to pay higher stipends than we could have done without this work. The number of students are fewer than before. But even at the beginiug of the new year wilen this report is being written a number of new boys have been admitted, and we intend to carryon. We tender our thanks to the Government for an annual grant of Rs. 2800/-, and to the District Board for a monthly grant of Rs. 8/- towards an evening school. THE PRINTING PRESS & BOOKSALES DEPARTMENT. The manager, Mr., K. R. Ghose, submits the' follqwing report :- "Compared to what we were able to accomplish in previ,ous years the PRINTING PRESS has had a somewhat slack yea.r although we have had work enough to keep our staff engaged the full- time. The help given by the Mission in paying dearness allowance to the press staff also has enabled us to meet our expenses of' increased wages etc., for which we record our hearty appreciation and gratitude. The two periodicals, " Pera. Hor " in San tali and "Bongo-Bondhu" in' Bengali, have been regularly published ~nd a number of smaller works for missions and ill-

225 38 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN 'OHUROHES. dividuals have also been done. Owing to increased difficulties of obtaining paper, only a few very needed books were printed for the two literature coillmittees with the left-over stock of paper purchased during These consisted mostly of reprint impressions of a few urgently needed publications, the stock of which had exhausted. With the necessary paper supplied to us, the printing of the second volume of a work on "Santal Folksongs" edited by W. J. Archer, Esqr., I. C. S. was completed and also two smaller publications were.printed for the Santa I Education Committee. It was due largely to th~ recommendation of Mr. Archer, the Deputy Commissioner of. Santal Parganas, that we were able to secure a quantity of paper at Government-controlled rate towards the end of the year for printing one or two important educational publications in the new year. It seems that paper at Government-controlled rate cannot be obtained at present for any other purpose except for the most needed and approved educational publications. The BOOK-SALES dept. has done fairly well, as usual, with plenty of orders from missions and individuals. In addition, orders for books and literature from Santals servo ing in the different military units in this country and even overseas have been on the increase, and it was a source of joy to us to be "able to serve them to the best of our ability. In this respect the Book-Sales dept would seem to fill a great need in the life of our boys away from their homes by providing them with suitable Chris tian literature for recreation of their mind and soul. Besides the reprint editions of exhausted books, only one new publication was added to onr stock during the year. A new revised Catalogue of Books is under preparation and will be published shortly in the new year. The usu~l 8rant of Rs. 1000/- from the Mission was received,

226 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 39 a.nd the accounts were closed with a balance of Rs 82~/-. For a detailed statement of accounts vide Account Appendices. h ZEMINDARY. The Zemindary collections and work have gone on as usual. Government expropriation fee of some land at Belbuni amollrited to Rs to come in as extra income in Under the heading "Indian Horne Mission Zemindary Estate" a detailed account will be found of collections and expenditures. * * * * In closing we send our heartiest greetings and thanks to all friends who have remembered the work and us in prayer and supplication, as well as with their donations for the Lord's work. LOLLY & K. TROMBORG. BENAGARIA CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL. The year 1943, will be remembered as the fa'mine year in. Bengal. As this part of San tal Parganas lies very close to Bengal, the border being 6 miles a way on one' side and only 2 miles on the other, it follows that the hunger situation also to a great extent affected us here. although not nearly in the degree that it was felt in the severely stricken areas of Bengal. The scarcity of rice was evident already in the hot season, April-May-June, with the result that more than the usual number of patients had to be given food. So when, we came to the end of August our year's supply of rice was exhausted and we had to look around to find some substitutes, such as wheat and mabie, and to buy

227 40 THE SANTAL MISsioN OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. more rice at exborbitant prices. This we were able to obtain, and also the money to pay for it, and so were able to carryon until the new harvest began to come in. The real starvation cases, (called sick-destitutes in the Calcutta area), did not begin to appear until about the middle of August. From then on quite a number came. singly or in families, emaciated, yet with swollen limbs and body. listless and devoid of strength and any power of recuperation. Most of them suffered from some con current di~ease. such as dysentery and tuberculosis, those two being the most frequently encountered. so it was often difficult to tell which was the more important cause of their condition, the disease or starvation. The death rate among these patients was very high. Most of them could not tolerate any solid food but had to be started on liquids and their diet gradually increased, but even with the utmost care ma.ny of them died. If we could have given them more strength-giving foods, such as milk, eggs, malted' milk and meat soups we probably could have saved more than we did, but with the exception of small amounts of milk, we could obtain none of these things but had to rely on rice and barley gruel, suji and ric~ porridge. The number of starvation cases admitted from the middle of August to the middle, of, November, when they practically ceased comin'g, is esti mated at about 50. Deaths among tbese numbered about 18. Only those who were a.ctually ill were admitted to the hospital. Others were given food and sent on their way, as it would have been impossible to find room for all those who I would like to remain. The hospital work was ca.rried on about as usual during the year, the incidence of diseases being nearly the Sdorne as other years. Malaria cases numbered 10,265 in the out-patient departroent. Treatment of this disease presellted a. grave problem during the first part of the

228 SEV:EtNTY-SEvENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 41 year due to the small amount of quinine released by Gove~nment. In order to have something with which t~ treat these patients we bought up quite a number of pounds from private dealers,. but had to pay extremely high prices for it. Therefore we were very happy when in December we received 40 lbs. from Government at reasonable prices. so that now we can give out freely to those who need it. The leper clinic has been well attended, the number of treatments given during the year being 2,959. Statistics for the year are as follows: Out-patients 30,963. In-patients, 1,372. Major operations Confinements: (including eye cases) 366 Normal Minor operations 1155 {EclampSia Abnormal Cresariansec. Others Jr Total 1521 Total MAJOR OPERATIONS : I. Eye operations: Cataract 123 Others 33 II. Glandular and New Growths 11 III. Bones & Joints 13 IV. Abdominal 7 V. On rectum 6 VI. Plastic 6 VII. Miscellaneous a. I nguinal hernia 14 b. Hydrocele, eversion sac 78 Do excision sac 7 c. Amputation filarial tissue 4 d. Orchidectomy 17 e. Others 5 VIII. Gynecological & Obs

229 4:2 THE SAN'l'4~ MlSSION. Oi' TR~ NORTHERN CHURCHES. LQ.telY we ha.ve been gre~tly hq.ndic~pped in performillg the larger operations because of lack of proper anesthetic. Ether is practically unavaila.bl~, and so 'is the right kind of spinal anesthesi~. ~o we are limited to ohloroform, novocaine and A). not too reliable spinal. The Evangelistic work at the hospital was' conducted in a somewhat different way from the routine of previous years. The women nurses, with the help of Miss Krohn and Mrs. Ostergaard, had for some time been having meetings with the women patients in the afternoons and it had long been my ho.pethat the wale nurses and other workers would regularly preach in the men's wards in the same manner, but it seemed difficult to get it sta,rted. This year, through the help of Dr. Bose, who was with ps for a few months, we at last made a beginning. So now each afternoon, with the exception of market days. from 2 to 4 of the Santali and Bengali workers in turn come and preach the Gospel to the patients and converse with them about,the way to sal. vation. We feel that this is merely a beginning and should be developed further. Ward preaching is not compulsory, and some of the workers feel that they are not able to do it. However, many of them have been quite faithful in taking their turn and as a rule have an attentive audience to talk to. We pray that these efforts may continue and come to bear much fruit. I wa.nt to extend my sincere thanks to the Bihar Government for the fohowing gifts during the year: &s /.. for main.tenance; For the Leper Clinic Rs. 270/ from the. Biha.r Leprosy Re:ief Committee, and later as. 75/- for the same purpose from,the office of the Inspector General of Civil Hospitals, and for issuing quinine to qs ~t q>derf\.te prices. Also to the Oiv.u Surgeon, Suri,

230 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 43 for the gift, from local resources, of one pound quinine, sulphate. Most of all we offer our heartfelt thanks to God for giving us health and strength and a faithful group of co-workers so again, in a difficult year, His work in the ministry of hea.ling has been kept going. May it be to His Glory I E. OSTERGAARD.

231 .' l '",I -.\ WORK IN BENGAL NARAINPUR BENGALI WORK. We are very thankful to God that it has been possible, in spite of great difficulties, to carryon the work during 1943 also. Many of our Christians have gone through a fire of tribulation caused by famine, diseases and general breakdown of health. We have therefore often felt the acute need of strengthening them and exhorting them to have faith in God, in spite of all. But the genera] weakness and illness of many of the preachers and pastors has made pastoral care, espectally of Christians living in out of the way places, very difficult. Many Christians have gone a way to earn their living at airfields and other places where new construction is going on and where, sorry to say, the life has proved.to be connected with great temptations. For a few months Rev. l3. K. Dutta, was released for work among these Christians, and he tried to gather as many as possible for Church Services and prayer. We thank God for all those who remained firm when the wave of immorality came. In different local congr~gations Bible courses and conventions have been held also this year. Especially may the Bible week in Benagaria and the refresher cour.se for pastors and preachers in Narainpur be mentioned. God spoke to ma.ny of us through the ministry of Mr. S. K. Mondol from Calcutta. May the spirit of awakening a.nd deepening of the spiritual life continue to follow his ministry in the future. The evangelistic work has been carried on as usual and the response to the Evangel has been encouraging.

232 SEVENTY-SEVENrH ANNUAL REPORT. 45 Thus the rise of.ohristianity among the Muchis of Muraroi has increased this year. The old obstinate opposition, originally created by the Hindu Mission, seems to have decreased considera bly. A deep and widespread movement is going on underground, and many Muchis are now coming forth confesing Christ publicly. The mo.vement amo.ng the Ma4lis is also. continuing satisfacto.rily. Many of them are becoming Christians and even greater ingathering may be expected from this tribe in the future. The workers are about the same as before, but more worker.::: are needed to teach new Christians and follow the mo.~ej11ents into new villages where pople are waiting fo.r instruction and baptism.., The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefo.re the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. '0 Thebapti.sIDs of the year are as follows: Congregations From heatlzm Children of Ckr;slitJns Muraroi 35 1 Rampurhat 1 1 Narainpur 0 0 Benagaria 8 4 Latakandar 1 1 Baniapasar 22 3 Saldoha 18 0 Karmata ur 10 1 Mohulbona 12 0 Tilabani 16 1 Total 1~3 12 The centre of the field Beems to be moving towards the west. About 84% of those who have become Christians during the last 4 years are from Santal Parganas where D9W the majority of our Christians are living.

233 46~ THE SANTAL MISSJONOF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Because of very long distances and difficulties. of transportation, it is almost impossible to continue to do the increasing district work satisfactorily from an outof-the-way place asn arainpur. We are therefore very thankful to the Conference for having allowed us to stay temporarily in Mohulpahari, from where our congregations can. ~e reached more easily We 'w"ould also like to welcome Miss I. Malmstrom who has ta.ken over the Girls' School in Narainpur. This school has now opened class VI and 2.girls ap»eared for M. E. and 1 girl for M, V, examination this year. The results are not yet known. 4: girls appea.red for' Primary Final examination, and they all passed in 1st division. The two new teachers Miss S. Dass and Miss S. Mitra a.re efficient teachers interested in the progress of the school and the spiritual welfare of.the girls. We tender our thanks to Government, District Board & Mohespur Raj Estate for grants received for the school. With hea.rty thanks to all friends who remember also this part of ~he field in their prayer.. SOLVEIG & SIGFRED JOHANSEN. WORK AT SURI. The fol~owing report has come from the Secreta.ry of the Suri Congregational Church :-.. In commencing to write a report of the wol'k a.t SUrl one is grieveously reminded of the terrible BufieringR which the people of this area have gone through with famine, starvati~n~ disease and death and again'st which

234 the surviving population is yet stfuggling for thei;r existence Naturally one wonders if.and ever better,times will prevail! Noone would dispute the fact that suoh a time of calamity puts a serious.setback bn aim'oat au our efforts, even the humblest efforts for th'e cause of the Kingdom of God., It is,. however. with a thankful heart we- say that since our affiliation with the Lutheran Church of Birbbum. there has been continued progress from year to year in the life of our little oongregation here at Suri. Sunday services have been regularly held with good attendance on the average. Our beloved visiting pastor, Rev. S. Johansen, has kept up his monthly visits to us regularly in spite of the many diffioulties and hardships of travelling. His ministrations of -love and servioe for us have been very helpful and edifying. On speoial oooasions the Church h3.s been full and it was a grea.t joy to see our Christians of different denominations oome together in oommon fellowship and unity of spirit at the Lord's Table to p30rtake of the Sacraments. This, indeed, marks a big step towards a strong and united Church at Suri in the not~very-distant future. During the year 2 young ladies from Christian homes have been baptized by Rev. Johansen and received into' our fold. Ma.y the ~ord protect and keep these new ones is the &incere prayer of our heart 1 A few 'of our young people were also instructed for confirmation. The} total number of Christians who worship at the Suri church, is 80. Besides these some 20 Christians live in the villages around.'."' Suri. The Sunday school for our children has had some slack periods during the year, but we are happy to see MisR S. N ath, B, A. using her time and E;nergy again to r~v~ve the work with ~ea,l a,ud interest, 47

235 48 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. It 'is with a very sad and grieveou8 heart we have to record here the untimely death of three persons in the family' of one of our leading members from a sporadic but virulent,attack of. typhoid, Three others of the same family are still down 'with the malady, but we are hoping that they will recover and be spared their live!i1. It has indeed been a time of great trial for this- family and our heartiest sympathy and condolence go out to them. We ask you allr to remember this family in your praye.rs. A few words about the work among non-christians will not be out of place, although very little bas yet been done in this dil'ection. To cope with the very d~stressing situation in this district some relief organisations sprang up and a lot of rescue and relief work was done with funds raised by Hindus and Mohammedans for the innumerable destitutes. The undersigned, as a member of one of these Relief organizatio.nr, succeeded in negotiating for relief with food, medicine and clothes worth nearly &:s. 2,500,: to one our two of our Mission centres in the district. These were placed mostly at the disposal of Rev. Johansen and Dr. Ostergaard for distribution in their respective areas. Compared to all the distress and sufferings of the people this help may have meant relief to a very small degree, but the fact of being associated with such work of love and service for the suffering humanity has offered our friends, particularly Rev. Johansen, opportunities of.being acquainted with and' appreciated by noo Christians in general. A door into the heargs of the people seems to have opened with greater possibilities of reaching them with the Gospel. We hope to Bee good results from this work that we have been privileged to do. -The need of a whole-time pastor and evangelist for this part of the district has been more and more keenly felt~ and it was indeed a direct answer to our earnest prayer when the' Church Council, at its last meeting in

236 It43, ~eoided to pla66 Rev.,Bosonto Dutt at Suri from the beginning of the new year, As has been said before, 8. la~ge' number of ChriRtians live scattered in the villages in the interior of this district The shepherding and caring of these has long been neglected Therefore, a very extensive and strenuous work await"! Rev. Dutt. We are glad to say that while this report' is being written Rev. Dutt is assuming hi~ responsibilities and is trying to engage himself ardently in some of the duties before' him. May the Lord blesr;; him and his work aiilongst u~ for the glory of God '1" Sd/- M~ NATH. NIMASARAI ( MALDA ) BENGALI WORK will long be remembered in Bengal as a year w hen many thousa~ds died in this province from famine and cholera. By the end of the year things have im. proved considerably. The rice harvest is good a~most everywhere. An exception is the central' part of MaIda distriqt. Here we ha ve had too little rain now for four conseoutive years. Illness, want and death contributed to hampering the activity of our mission workers during the ye&r, so less was done than usual. Not a faw of the Christians were compelled to go elsewhere in search of some mea.ns of livelihood. And quite a number have died during the yea,.r. Some of the primitive church buildings fell down or cam e very near to it, becs, use the congregations were una,ble to repair them. Ruel D4s moved to Bolrampur in Purnea Distriotbut had to contend with disease in his family the whole year, so the work there has been rather at a standstill, if not worse. In his plaoe Horipodo Prosad Was placed at Potra for a year, a.fter which he was to ha.ve ta.ken up G

237 50 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. his post at English Bazar. A few months later first his elder son and then he himself were attacked by typhoid and both died. After that the pensioned old Pastor Haru Banjuria was asked to look after the work th:ere for a time. By the end of the rainy season he also died. Towards the end of the yea.r our teacher and overseer at Nimasarai, John K.,ipanatk Sorkar, suddenly died. Some may remember him as one of the first faithful helpers of Eli Bogh during the first yea.rs at Saldoha. He had been with us since we built our new house here at Nimasarai. We will miss him sadly and the others, too. And our lack of workers is now even more serious than before. The younger men have continued their education. One of them, Horku or Hukia Horoknath Pramanik passed the last of the examinations we demand from our evangelist~, the first man in MaIda to accomplish this feat. With the limitations hinted at above the work has been proceeding as before, slowly. and lowly indeed, but nowhere has it been discontinue(l entirely. We liad during the year 45 baptisms in all among Bengali speaking people. Of these 10 were the children of Christians, 2 came froid a kind of Muslim sect and 33 from the Hindu' community, most of ~hem being of the primitive Paharias. Qne small church building was dedicated, namely at Bolrampur on the , used both for Santals. and Bengalis. The boys' hostel at Nimasarai-like the other two boys' hostels for Santa.l boys we have in North Bengalgradually very nearly ceased to function as the parents had to take their boys home, being unable to supply food for them. We hope some of the boys are able to come back in the new year. The missionary conference, just before the end of the year, tr"nsfer:red Miss I~ Mahn~trolll awar from M",ld~.

238 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 51 That means a serious loss to the Bengali work here. until some other lady missionary can come and work among the Bengali women here. As in previous years I have spent part of my time in now and then looking after the work of the seven Santa I pas'tors and their helpers in the North Bengal Districts, and also in an occasional visit to Coach Behar. H. P. H. KAMPP. EKLAKHI GIRLS' SCHOOL. It is known all over the world that the year 1943 was a year of famine, starvation and sickness in the province of Bengal. Though none died of starvation in this district many got too little food, or poor food, and had no resistance to fight against cholera and malaria when epidemics swept over the country. We felt the difficulties here also, but learnt in a new way to trust in God as our Father, and His words in Exodus 23, 25 were as if spoken to us: "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and I shall bless thy bread and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.'! At the most critical time, when prices went up and everybody was anxious about the future, came Mr. S. K. Mondol from the Children's Special Service for a ten days' mission and talked so simply and earnestly about Christianity. He became of great help to the children, teachers and the people in the compound and m,any decided to follow Jesus Christ. The songs he taught are Bung every week at the children's special meeting in the prayer house. In the first part of the year there were 52 children in the school, of these 12 were day scholars and 40

239 52~~ THE SAN TAL MISBioN oli THE NORTHERN C:l::rirnCHES. boa. Tders. As before it was difficult to get a trained teachel" to come to' this out-of-the-way place, but Lilly Paul. from Cooch-Behar came and did fa.ithful work for the whole year. For some time we thought about closing the s~hool because of food shortage, but found it was better only' to send 9 girls home. mostly small ones and a few bigger, who could get better food in their homes. Those who remained learned to appreciate food they never ha.d been used to before, as whole wheat and atta. No one complained but they daily thanked God for His care' and love. The four teache!'s ha ve worked hard and faithfully and have given much special tutoring to the four girls who went in for the Government scholarship examination and pa&sed. This. year a practical class was started for two Bengali girls and they were instructed also for confirmation by' Miss Malmstrom. After the rainy season vacation the children came back and the average number in the school was 51. Three fierce storms did much damage to the houses, but through storms and famine God has talked to us, a.nd we thank Him' for "He is good and His mercy endureth for ever" ENROLLMENT Class IV Class III Cla.ss II Clus I Tota.l No. of children 51. ERIKA LOWE.

240 ,, ~ < SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPOR'T. 58 S.A.NTAL WORK IN THE DISTRICTS OF DINAJPUR, MALDA, RAJSHAHI" PURNEA, BOGRA. RANGPUR. In spite of the big area the Santals have been scattered over, wherever they go they instinctively try to stick together in separate villages or separate hamlets inside villages with old and settled population. That means that the Santals up to now remain '\Tery mueh Santals even in their scattered condition. Bengal went through a yea!' of severe hardship in 1943, and no doubt the Santal immigrant population suffered with the rest. The total reported deaths appear;.. ing on the Church Returns for 1941 were 30,in 194~ 26, and in In BARIN pastor Budhrai Hasdak' has continued to lead the 9 village congregations, having Badhajr as his centre of work. The past year saw no great' aav~~cet and his flock appears to be far behind in giv~ng offering to the Lord's work. In SIKARPUR the Khoribari centre has been withql.jt a. pastor, but a young man trained at our Santal Divini1jy School, Jonas Hasdak', -has been in charge..the u~'... printed part of the Congregational Returns :shows tha.,~ 33 excomidunicated persons had repented and been accepted as church IIlembers again," In P ANDUA BIR the Eklakhi station is gradually growing in importance for our whole work in North Bengal Pastor Suphol Hem brom was stationed there a.nd attended to several village congrega.tions, and also ~sited the Khoribari area. On the North side of Ma;1d&t Pastor': GUill Murmu has been etajiioned at POTRA in -cha-rg-e af 10' ~ilhlg.e

241 54' THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. congregations.,work appe.ars to have been going on quietly and there is not much to report, except that at the close of the year they were preparing to receive the' 'Helmel Sabha' for North Bengal in this place. ~AUTNAGAR is some 20 miles on the north side of the rai~way line. Pastor Mongol Kisku has been in charge here but was full of worry when he sent the statistics for.the year. In a way there are 6 village congregationel, one of which is inside Purnea, and one which consists only of Paharias. At PHORIDPUR Pastor Modhusudon Kisku has of late tried to be energetic and visited the few congregations. The congregational Returns show creditable improvement. Even two Sunday Schools have been started, and' the collections for the Lord's work among a small Christian community of 284 has reached &s At NARAYANPUR, the old CRATAI centre,. Pastor Simeon Murmu continued to be in charge but partly due to local difficulties, and partly because he soon will reach retiring age, he has asked to be transferred to "Khoribari where he' has house and land close by the station. The Church Council has accepted this, and a.ppointed Pastor Sup hoi Hembrom to succeed him in this place. Apart from the central congregation there are 11- more village congregations to shepherd. J. G;AUSDAL. coach BEHAR. "Jesus Ck"ist tke same,estn-day, today and lot" ever. Hew i~ --:;We are. glad to begin the report with these words because they mean so much to us. During the,pa.st year

242 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 55 much has changed but not Jesus Christ. There has been an interchanging of sorrow, joy, success, disappoint.. ment etc.' but He has been the same and has never failed to help us. Praise be to His holy name! The work amongst the Bengalis, Garos and Boro's has continued as before, but not without some difficulties. The annual "mela " here in C. B. where we used to sell hundreds of Gospels r was cancelled this year due to much sickness amongst the population. Due to the same the work in the ~illages has beeu very difficult, too. Amongst the Christians we have,had several cases,of smallpox and one case of cholera. Many have, suffered from hard attacks of fever. Sickness and the difficulty in getting sufficient food and clothing has, it seems to ns, hindered the spiritual development in the Congregation. N early every evening the Church bell has called ".Jor prayer but very few have given response to the cn.ll. We are praying very much for a revival amongst the Christia.ns here. Our evangelist amongst the Garos has been very eager in preaching the Good Tidings to his own people. Though very few were baptised this year we expect many to come forward soon. The people in the Colony had a hard time in the beginning of the year owing to poverty. Most of them had to live on jungle potatoes. But even the Hindus around were Burprised to see how God was upholding them. At the.end of the year He also gave them a very good harvest. Many Don-Chrisian pupils have been admitted in the school lately. Our Boro Congregation moved to a new place in the beginning of the year. They now live closer to the main road and it is more convenient for us to go there.' They built a church and a school with their own money' and' also partly suppa rt a Biblewoman. The Congregation seems to be growing.

243 ae 'l'he SAlirAL: :MISSION OF 'lm, NORTHERN OHUROHES. :. J. f' Dtning the: ye&7 we :had,two Bible.. courses. for our workers ando.ne for women. In Nov. we ha.d aga.in Mr. S~ K. Mandoi.from.. Calcutta bere -to oonduct Bible studies and give lectures.,w/il were. all richlyblesse«during his sta~.. It was a' great, loss for the High Sehool a.s well as for tha Mission:'when in 'August our Headmaster left us in go ~to ; B1.nkura ig.r O;)Uega work. We had appreoiated his,service. -vary i mach.. B.eing the secretary of our C. C. he: 'ga.ve mu:ch of his. time and interest to Oongregational work., At:. 'sev&ral occa.sionshe conducted the English Ser.Ue9 fgr. the Europeans then staying in C. B. We ha.ve the joy of having several Chris tian students from oth81' Missions, mostly Borosa.nd Santals. They attended the Eng1;ish 'services and took active part by their nioe siriging. ~. - I t ~.ATlaTIPS: : Total Christians 330. Baptism: Christians' children 20 Heathens 17 Marriage, 4. '..,::'; ',' 'Highschool 1, 'Teachers 19, Students 480,,/ Primary schools 8, Pupils 170 Teachers' 7. Mistresses 2 E.' PIHLQUIST. S. MAR'fENSON.

244 WORK IN ASSAM # SANTAL COLONY'. We are thankful to God that we have been able to carryon -the work in the Santal Colony during the past year. There have been many opportunities a'nd the work has not been without its encouragement's. There have. however, also been many anxieties, and with the Apostle we can say: "the adversaries are many". Though the door has been open for the spreading of the Good Ti.dings, we have perhaps realized' more than ever that our fight in this battle is "not against flesh and blood, but a'gainst principalities, against powers. against the rulers of the darkness of this world". How we need to heed the Apostle's warning and put on the whole armour of God 1 In the congregational work one change occured among the pasto:rs. Pastor Jam es Soren moved to J oema and Pastor Peter Hembrom took his place at Rantzaupur. The other Pastors have served in their respecti~e congregations as last reported. Church attendance has on the average been quite good, but there is room for much impr.:>vement. We notice that those who are irregular at church services and devotional meetings are usually the ones who easily fall for temptation. A rather severe epidemic of Cholera. swept through the Colony during July and August. It was difficult to obtain anti-cholera vaccine but injections were given to people in the most affected villages, although in some cases rather late.. Many deaths occured and this ga.ve opportunity to quacks, who came in and swindled many of the innocent and ignorant people of rather large sums of of money. Tn some villages charms were sold, and in others the people were persuaded to take part in some sort of sacrificial worship in order to drive awa.y the 11

245 58 THE SANTAL MISSION'OF THE NORTHERNCHUkcHES. Evil Spirits, or stop the "Wind of Trouble ". We were away from the District while these visitors were abou~ but latter we 'gathered the people to discuss the matter. While such happenin~s~are- 'discollra-'gitig and sad, we are glad that most of the Christians who "bad been led astray came to realize the }'Trong and were willing to make confession and ask forgiveness. The Assam Oonvention was" held in J oies-ori in the Joema District. Many of our Colony people' attended. We returned from the Convention fe~lirig we had been benefitted by the many helpful and Spirit-'filled messages from God's W. ord;, The' th~-day meeting' for women held at Haraputa in March was very well attended, and reports from the meetings have been encouraging. From the ls-t to the 15th N oveiilber a Bible course was conducted here at Grahampur. Rev. A. E; Strollstad and Pastor Kalu Kisku of the Divinity School' at" ChonnbTpura conducted the course. Mission workers and others from Saritipara, Darrang, J oema, Mornai and the Colony attended. We were happy that a number of women also attended. The Lo'rd used His servants to bring forth hidden trea:gul'es from His Word. One's personal relation and fellowship with God was strongly stressed and the need of repentance and rededication among the children of God. We are thankful that these friends could be with us and we are sure many were grea tly benefitted and re'ceived new vision of the riches of His Word. According to reports from the' Colony Congregations, 3'( souls from the non-christian community were baptized during the year. Of these 26 were baptized in Haraputa. 6 in Rantza uput and 2 in Grahampur. 211 children of Cbl'istian parents were baptized. 99 young people were c6i{firm'ed. 425 children were edtolled in Sunday 8"ohool8,

246 with 16 teachers in charge. Friday meetings for women have been. conducted in many villag.es, ~lthough not in all. Collections at women's meetings were as follows:.. Harappta Rs. 185/-; Bilanpur Rs.. 60/8; Rantzaupur Rs. 94/12/3; Grahampur Rs. 269/9/3 making a. totaldf.rs.609/13/6. Total Oontributions in.each Oongr~gati~n were: Haraputa Rs. 969/8/6; Bilanpur Rs.4;24/11/6; R~ntza upur Rs. 41.2/5/3; Grahampur R.s~ 855/5/-. Total for the Colony : Rs. 2662/14/3. In the M. E. Boys School the enrollment increased to 134. The teaching staff remained the same with the exception of Mohes Murmu who served temporarily while Sukumar Tudu attena.ed Training School. 7 boys appeared in the M. E.examination at the end of passed, We again want to express our appreciation to the Government of Assam for regular and special war time grant-in-aid for our schools. ',249 children were.enrolled in village schools. We were unable to open any new schools during the year. We have received regular grant-in-aid for five village schools from the Local Board, Dhubri. We a.re,grateful for this aid. A special grant towards dearness allowance for the teachers has also been sanctioned but was not received by the -close of the year. OoropoundAt' Benjamin Hembrom has done good work in the Dispensary. TowardR the end of the yeax the stock of medicine had run low, and it has been difficult to obtain medicines due to restrictions in transportation. We hope to have new supplies before long patients were tre~ted. ~n closing we extend our greetings and thanks _ to "all fj;iellds and supporters for prayers and gifts. Vie shall value your c~ntinued prayer for th;8 work. HAZEL. & _ql~ _ BJ~RKES'l: ND.

247 60 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. HARAPUTA GIRLS' M. E. SCHOOL. "It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answel"; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa 65, 24. Here at Haraputa we have experienced the truth of that Word this year more than ever before. As in' all other institutions there have been great difficulties caused by the war situation. Getting sufficient school material, food, kero'sine ob, firewood etc. has been a very great problem. In order to keep the expenditure on a normal level in spite of the rising prices of all necessities we have tried to make the parents bring' the rice for their girls. Then we supplement it with wheat and soya beans so they can get the right kind of food. But it is not easy to make the,parents understand that they have to bring the rice on time. After the vacation when the paddy I had bought at the beginning of the year was finished and we had to depend more on what the children brought, I had some anxious times every week when they all came to get food from the godown. Would we have enough for the coming week? And if not, where could I get some? One Thursday I had rice left for only a couple of days. I went to the village headman to ask him if he could 'Pro~ure some paddy at the Government controlled price. He OIl:mld not encourage me, as he knew that the people could sell at a much higher price in the market, but he promised' to try anyway. I went home and sat down to think over the situation and also to pray that God might show m.e a way to get what was needed. While I was sitting there, a young man came up to the veranda.. I asked him' what he wanted. "I am bringing some rice for my sister4" We had brought 85 seers, rice for a couple of days Plore for the 'boarding, A few minutes later a. mother

248 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. came with, 15 seers. And in the evening the pastor and the headman came with 3 of the wealthiest Santals in the village to tell me that they were willing to sell as much paddy as I needed at controlled price. I learnt something from that ex};)erience. and I believe that the children did. too. And so the work has been going on, in spite of difficulties and certain disappointments. VIe have appointed two new teachers on the staff, Mis8 Indira Mara k and Miss Manjhan Murmu. At the end of the year Miss Maloti Hasdak' left us to marry the compounder in Grahampur. She has been a very faithful worker the nearly 4 years she ha.s been here, and we wish her all happiness in her new place. The number of students has decreased slightly. We had 127 on the roll, and the total number of boarders was 96., At the Middle EngliRh examination the results were poor in spite of hard work on the part of both teachers and students. At' the Primary examination 5 girls out of 6 passed. The needle work examinations were passed with honours by all candidates. The children's health has been exceptionally good, probably due to the improved diet they have had this year. Regarding the work in the congregation, the teachers and pupils have ma.de their contribution by taking Sunday School in 5 villages every Sunday morning. In the confirmation class for girls, about 40 attended every week; 38 girls were confirmed. The Friday meetings for women here in the compound have not been very well attended by the village women, but tho~e from the compound have been faithful. In closing, I want to thank all friends for their support. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Eccl. 11 SOLVEIG SOMMING.

249 1'&2 THE SM{TAL. ISSION OF ~:a:e :~Q~TlJERN.Q:IiURCHES. H4RAPUTA MEDIC:4.L,WORK.. We ca'noot exactly say that our work go.es 00 as.usual, but it does go on. We use much time and energy trying to get the medicines and other things with which to work. It is disheartening at times to have to turn 'sick "' people away because we cannot give them the necessa.ry med\cine. The number of patients we have cared for would have been mu9h greater if this had not been necessary. It.is 'rather difficult to do medical wo,rk in. a -district ; where ma.laria in its worst form is end~mic and then ~can'.get neith-el' quinine n~r atebrin. Such. are the Gondi ~1tionst,and " we hav.e to rely on :fatth mqre than medicine many times to help these :sick people. There has been another problem this. year. Although we do not hav~ famine in the sense -that they have' had 'it in other places, we do see the effects of deficient '. diet s.people 'here for the most part have riceenongh. But if they eat nothing else they get deficiency diseases., Anq we 6eemanyof these anemic and edematous.. people daily. If,they can get plenty of dal and greens. for '--1}Urry they _[do. alright. B;ut if they don't grow them. :-t~mselves it is ha:rd as prices are.so 'h.~gh.,now,on ; ~-cco\lnt of so much malnutrition we have mq~h.~of dyf-e~meries -~nd: sgabies, among other things. I ha.ve nev;er seen sca.bies so widespread, not only sp,x;.eadove.r t,he _wb,olebo,dy of reaoh :person,,but over,every.;person fin the :;,family and.: tb-e: ;vill~ge..th~y get.medicine for it. ~It.. :~lears ~p, :io, re~urn in a month or two. This. m~y )e _!!1Jl,e.~at.only to: the malnutrition but also,to ~he fact,j;jjat.,~oap.,is, so. ~xpensive rphat.. t~~y cat;ulot afford to keep themselves or,t4eir clo~hes.. c~ea!l...r)mt.l~17i,a.' 1).as \.b.e.e11 the worst offender, as it usually is. Then next comes sca.bies,.. t;hen dysentery. We ha.ve also

250 had an epidemic of Cholera in the district this year. But it had not come into' the r, school or station. Out"- -two out-patient treatment stations for lepel's:; are still operating. Sometimes the patients,come quite regularly;,other times they,slack off when it rains or is real cold. Petrol sho1"tage hag. made vjllage calls rather difficult. The, number of out-patients was 12,500. Of these about 50% were Mohammedans, 20% Christi~ns, 15% N on Christians. 15 % Hindus. Our staff is the same as last year, Our women's work in the,congregation goes on as usual The Bible, women gather once a month. These meetings are a help and an inspiration for them,. Then we had a three day meeting for,the 'women again this year. It was also very well attended ; We' noticed that the women had more courage abctut getting up to speak and' they seemed to feel their responsibilities as Christians more than formerly. This was very en., couraging for us. We hope we can' continue these' meetings. Sometimes when we' feel that the work goes so slow I remember what David said- to his son: 'He WIll notfail thee, nor forsake thee, uiitil thou hast {finished all' the work for the service for the house of the Lord.' 1 Chron. 28; 20. This gives us courage and we are thankful for the pr~vilege of working here. We are cer.' talnly thankful to all who have made it p,ossible forus "to continue the work in these days. DAGMAR PEDERSEN.

251 64 THE SANTAL. MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. JOEMA. "Blessed he the God and Falne,. of mercies and God of all comf01't who comfortetk us in au our affhction,. tkat we may he able to comfort.tkem tkat are in any affliction, "" tke comfort wherewitk w..e ourselves are cm;nforted of God." 2 Cor. I,' 5-4. This year I must write the report of the work alone. The year that began with such hope and promise has ended with great sorrow, because of t~e death of my husband. We all miss him so much. He wrote this passage in my bible, "And we know all things work together for" good to them that love God-to them that are called of bis purpose." Rom. 8, 28. Last February a Sabha was held in Bahre Hasa at Jolesori. <It was well attended in spite of,rain. The Santals made most of the arrangements and proved that they can do much if given the opportunity and responsibility. We have just received word that the Santals in Darrang have obtained their land, which was to be given to the Nepalese for grazing; so they will not be required to move, for w hieh we are thankful. Another congregation, Amjuli in Darrang, has begun with about twenty-eight Christians who wish to build a Church in which to worsh,ip. During the rains, many Darrang Christians died from Cholera. After the elders meeting this year my husband said, HIt has been interesting to watch the elders through the years. Some may not have grown much but all have grown." Two of our elders in Darrang hav~ died:. Samu Marndi from Sapkata and the elder from Khay~rbani.

252 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 Chaitan Soren was gi ven leave to arrange for his marriage and has not returned. We still hope he will for he is sorely needed.. The past year James Soren was pastor in Joema, Rube,n Murmu in Darrang, and Paul Murmu in Sohorpur~ Due to the illness of his wife, Ruben Pastor will remain in Jolesori and' Sirmath Marndi will be ordained to mini~ter to our Darrang friends. Ratu Marndi will be, ordained and will war k in J oema. We are sending Choto Murmu and James Soren to Divinity School, 80 after a few years we will have more trained workers in Bahre Rasa. Fifty-four children studied in our Primary School for boys. Six village schools have the enrollment of ninetytwo children. Pandu Marndi has continued his work in our dispensary and has helped one thousand fifteen patients Forty-five children of Christian parents and forty-sir non-christians were baptized. Thirty-five were confirm.ed and twenty-five couples were married. The church contribution for the year was R:s. 1067~10-6~ I wish to thank all who have remem bered us and the Santals in the J oema District in their prayerfl. Please. continue to pray that many may be gathered into God's Kingdom. ADELAIDE LANDOY. I

253 66. THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. MORNAL During the present abnormal times it is natural that ma.ny difficulties must arise with regard to the working of a Tea Garden. When writing a report on the congregational work it is, however, very satisfactory to be able to state that, in spite of higher earnings now being offereq in other places due to scarcity of labour and the abnormal rise in prices of food and clothing, the Garden population has not decreased to any appreciable extent. It no doubt shows that the majority of the people here have settled down and are not easily tempted away by a temporary gain in income. Everything possible has been, done to prevent the employees from hardships and to continue to aim at the old established idea of making the Mi~sion Tea Garden a place where the labourers can live and work and have their home life free from want and anxieties. The fact that we had the joy of receiving thl'ough baptism 22 Santals, 2 Mundas and 1 Bengali into the church during the past year gives us much encouragement. Our new Santal Pastor, Jatu Murmu has now become more used to Assam and the conditions' here. Coming straight from the Divinity School at Chondorpura he has" brought along with him quite a good deal of zeal, useful knowledge and new ideas. During March to June we had Bible study in the evening twice weekly in our church and a number of both Santals and Mundas joined, some being quite eager to learn more of the Word of God. The, Bengali-speaking people had similar Bible studies in their own church at Pauspur. ~pecial women's meetings have been held as usual every Friday and a subst~ntial quantity of rice has been given as offerings on these occasions. As so often before we have again had opportunity to notice that when,the

254 EVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 67 women folk ofavillage become really interested' it helps so much to promote and stabilize all the religious activities of that village in particul:1r and of the whole church in general. Sunday schools have given encouragement and in a place like this where, due to the limited distances, it is comparatively eary to gather the children on Sunday mornings, we Btill look upon this branch of the work as one of our best opportunities to bring the Gospel into the hearts of the coming generation. Our day school has suffered to some extent for want of teachers, some having left to join war service. Towards the end of the year Suku Sangma has, however, come back} here after completing his two years' teachers training in a Union Mission Institution in Bengal. Another of our own boys completed his first year's traiil,ing there and we hope he will 1Iolso in due course come back here to take up teaching in our school. As usual, the Dhorompur congregation and the area of the Basbari-Tipkai forests has been supervised from MornaL We much regret that - our Christians in the village of Uksiguri have npt been attending Ohurch services as regularly as they used to do. In order to do more by way of preaching the Gospel to Santals living in these forests, it has been decided that a yo.ung Santal preacher will shortly be stationed at Dhorompur. We hope in this way to be able to do more effective work in this area. Towards the end of the year the American Baptist Mission have given us permission.to ta~e over their Christians living in the same forest, most of whom are in a place called Kalabandari. They are mostly Rabhas who besides their own language also understand Bengali. We hope that our Bengal\ workers, Jacob Biswas and

255 68 l'he SANXAL.MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Satsoron,Sen,,will be able to do something for thase Ohristia.ns who are rather in.diffipulty, living in an -isola.ted place where it has evidently not so far been possible to give them proper attention. In conclusion we heartily thank all our friends for. their prayers, gifts.. andsympathy during the past year.. INGEBORG & OLUF EIE. rl'he BORO WO.RK. It is not easy to give a full picture of this year's 'happenings under rapidly changing conditions. We have had to share the difficulties prevailing in india during the year, due to the war. Mention may 'be made of the incredibly high prices of food, which have made it hard 'for people with comparatively low salaries. Cholera has been widespread in the villages, 'especially in Bongaigaon district,and also other epidemics. In Bongaigaon district 116 of the Christians are reported to ha~e died, and prob~bly the number is slightly higher. But there are certainly many who have felt God's helping ~and during these times of sorrow and anxiety, and,have had th~ir faith in God strengthened. It is wonderful that we have been able to come through somehow, though the stress has been great, and one of our preachers is not alone when he gave witness' in a sermon that' be had experienced God~s blessing 'and help during these difficult months.. :. During :such times there is the danger that the con 'cern aoout.food, prices and money may tend to quench 'the, interest. fin ;-spiritua.l.things.' But it is faleo a.n oppor..

256 SEVENTY--SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 69 tunity for lbutual help and for drawing nearer to God as the loving and helping Father, who does not forget His children. And we are glad that we have been able to carryon the work without interruption In 37 places the Christians come together for worship and the tea.ching of the Word of God. It is encouraging to see their willingness to contribute to the work and build their church and school buildings, loving and caring for the church in their midst. The number of baptized from the heathen is sl~ght1y less than in the previous year. But there are some under instru~tion, and there seems to be in some minds an unrest and questioning for something that can satisfy the soul. A sign of that is the conversion at the end of the year of a Sadhu and teacher of the Brahma religion, which has quite a stronghold on many of the more educated and progressive Boros. He is now eagerly reading Christian books and asking for baptism. in some other places, also, there are signs of movement towards the Christian faith. Though some of our villaga schools are small and comparatively weak, we are more and more convinced of the importance of these schools as a vitalizing factor in the life of the congregations by the furthering of literacy, by instruction in the Christian doctrines, and, not lea'st, by the singing. And the fruits will, we hope, become apparent by and by. There are now 14 village schools supported by the mission. One of the senior teaehers has be~n appointed to visit and inspect them regularly, besides his oth r work. ~ore congregations are asking for help tow.ards schools, but we are now following the principle of le.tting them show their interest by starting themselves, 'and later apply for help. Two small schools have been w.orking in jhatway during' the 'year.

257 70. THE san-tal MISSION OF THE NORtHERN CHURCHES. A convention sabha was held in Boldi, and it Was well attended' and encouraging in many' ways. There I were some separate meetings for women. The boys and girls from Bongaigaon and Tajobari schools attended and ~.ave good' help by their singing and entertainment. The arrangement was undertaken by the people of the district. For the first time a mela was held in connection with the convention" and though small it was the start of a new feature. The Church Council has also this year been of great assistance in the work. More and more, all matters of ililportance go to the Council for decision, and the work gains thereby in stability and progress. Besides, we believe that it is also,a preparation and training for the future, when the church is to live its independent life. The Council has met five times during the year. It decided to send two candidates to the Divinity School if] Chondorpura. Co The work among women received attention of the last meeting. One women in Gothaibari who has a~ready started as a voluntary worker was appointed as the first paid Bible women. The number of women,conducting women's meetings in the villages is increasing, and the,council decided to encourage thelu by gi ving them a special gift every Christmas.' The increase in contributions is, of course, mainly due to the high prices of rice. Much of the "chanda" is given in rice, especially at women's meetings. But the effort of the Council to collect the yearly "chanda" 0 paddy also bore fruit. MUQh of this paddy was given as a prepay to mission workers' and proved a good help.

258 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 71 The contributions towards church land school buildings in the villages and their part of teachers' salaries are; as usual, not recorded. The congregation of Gothaibari ha~ started on a big venture, building a church at the cost of nearly two and a half thousand rupees. They have gotten R:s. 300 as help from the mission. and Council. Theirs is an example of great enthusiasm, and worthy to be p,raised. It has been a great joy this year to welcome to the Boro field Mr. and Mrs. Westborg, who have been placed in Bongaigaon and are now going to take charge of the school and district. We wish them blessing and happiness in the new work. GAO RANG DISTRICT. The village of Jiaguri again became a separate congregation, as it was found difficult to walk to Jambuguri. The work in Samthaibari was discontinued. The number of congregations 1S seventeen, as in the previou~ year. New church buildings were dedicated in Ghaksa, Jambuguri and Mothambel, the biggest congregation. Serfanguri also built a new church. In Jharbari near Patgaon a new congregation is growing up, due to Christian families moving in there. They have already built a church which was dedicated and services have been h~ld. 40 from heathen and 90 children of Christians have been baptized. There are 93 under instruction, children included. Contributions from congregatjons amount to Rs KOKRAJHAR CHRISTIAN HOSTEL. We received Rs. 300 from the mlsslon as a help to build a new boarding house; but the plan had to be

259 72 THE SANTAL M-ISBION OF THE NORTHERN OHURCHES. postponed and the previ6u:sly built houses were repaired and proved adequate thi~ year" The amount collected by the BO,ros during the year for' the hostel was Rs boys have been staying in the boarding t 3 in High 'school, 3 in class six of M. E. school. and one in a lower class. BORONI LITERATURE BOARD. The printing of the new edition of the Hymn book was completed by the middle of the year. One new booklet has been sent to the press. That is a short his,tory of the Church Fathers, translated from the Santali edition, A small literature committee has been appointed by the council and is helping in the work. BONGAIGAON DISTRICr. 51 from heathen have been baptized, 28 of whom are from Gandabel, and 98 children of Christians. This also includes the congregations in Kamrup and ljarrang. 73 are reported to be under instruction. After waiting for some time, the Council has decided to take up in earnest the work among the numerous Boros in. (he Bijni area. One preacher ha.s been selected for that field. and he has already found one man. very interested and eager to listen to the Gospel. There are one or two Christian Boro families on that side. The oondition of the Christians in Northern Kamrup is 'rather weak. with some disagreement between the leaders. A new church building was dedicated in Boldi. We have had friendly communications with the Baptilit Mission regarding exchange of membership and other matters.

260 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL RE-PORT. V:S Contributions amount to RB , -including Ra. 25 'for the Bongaigaon boarding house and Rs a.s income from the mela. The school in Bongaigaon has 26. students, 19 of them in boarding. The high prices have made the work difficult, and we did not dare to appoint a new headmaster this year under such conditions. But it seems to be necessary to find one now. With thanks to friends1l.nd supporters, ANNA & HAl{ON H.ALVORSRUD. GAORANG MISSION GIRLS' SCHOOL. The p~st year has, on the whole, been a good year for the school. We have been able to carryon the work without being disturbed by invasion rumours and any other qifficulties from without. In April-May we had several ~ases of rather had dysentery both on the compound and in the hoarding. Fortunately none proved fatal. Excepting that, the health has been very good both among teachers and child:ren. The rise in food prices made it rather difficult the last four months as our stock of paddy was then finished; but somehow we came through. and looking back we must only thank God for His many blessings throughout the year. From the new school year a new teacher. Florida Baroah, Matric passed and senior trained, joined OUT staff, and we opened class VI with 5 pupils. AfteT a visit of the Inspectress D.!., and S. T. of schools, the J

261 74 1'HE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHE school was recognized as an M. E. school. The ntim ber.of children has increased during the year so at the close we have 48 on the roll, taught by 4 teachers. They are divided in classes as following: Infant " Class,. B I II class " "., III IV V VI Besides the ordinary needlework in school we aj'e raising silkwotms and spinning and weav~ng is!jeing done. Sunday-school has been carried on with an average number of 40 children. SOFIE NESSET. SANTIPARA LEPER WORK & DISTRICT. THE LEPER WORK. In Dr. E. Muir's book "Leprosy" we find the following passage: "One of the most important factors in the treatment of leprosy is healthy exercise upto the capacity of the individual, without this no other form of treatment is likely to be of permanent value h, and our experience here in the colony goes to prove his statement. But the trouble is that some of the new patients in the colony, and more so those who never turn up at the colony, seem to be of a different opinion. Some of the lepers are not accustomed to work at home, others believe that they may get worse if they work, and others again prefer spending their time working on their own farms. On account of this attitude, many of the early non-infectious cases which could possibly be cured or ~rrested after a comparatively short treatment at the colony have their free

262 SEVkNTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 75 course. On the other ha.nd. we are still more interested in getting the contagious cases, which spread the disease, into the colony for isolation and treatment. But so far only a minority have appeared. In order to awaken the villag~ pe)ople to - the danger of leprosy, a great deal of propaganda will have to be carried out. For this and other purposes the Goalpara District Anti-Leprosy Organisation was started this year. It is headed by the Deputy Cqmmissioner and other Government officials in this district in addition to the members of the Santipara Committee. During the year 110 in-door patients were treated. According to Dr. S. M. Ganguli's report, 23 of the cases were arrested, and 34 improved greatly. The average attendance at the 3 out-clinics was similar to that of 1942, and some new patients came for I treatment. The numbers of out-clinic patients are as follows: Santipara Leper Clinic : 17 Gurubhasa 266 ( of whom 35 became " arrested cases) Gaorang 102 (7 cases arrested) " " New land has also this year been prepared for cultivation, but crop was rather small owing to insufficient irrigation of our rice fields. We have investigated the possibilities of irrigation from an old canal to the north of the colony, but so fa.r no decisions have neen taken in connection with this project. In the new section of the Tung Oil Garden 1270 trees I ha.ve been -planted. The Primary School for leprous children carried on a.s usual. The teacher is a leper who- once was a student of Cotton College, Gauhati.

263 76'; THE.sANT.AL MISSION OF '!'HE NORTHERN CHURCkKS. The spiritual work among the patients has also this year been: faithfully performed by our pastor and two of the- other fellow workers. In June, when a heavy storm damaged(most of our houses, the temporary church collapsed. In t.he words of Ni'mbai pastor:. ': She sat down like an elephant." - Economically the year proved a difficult one, but the.assam Government, ~he MisBion to Lepers, The Assam Christian Council and The Bijni Raj Ward Estate came forward to our assistance. We convey -our most heartfelt thanks to all our supporters for their interest and gifts. THE DISTRIC'!'. The visible result of the work in the district is rather maa.gre compared to last year. This is probably due to tlur present circumstances. People are so taken up with secular things that they hardly find time, to listen to the GOSPf}l. In addition, a desire for money and for more mon"y seems to have taken hold of their hearts. During the year 12 heathens and 25 Christiani pa.rents ha.ve been baptized. children of Our oldest worker. Samuel Soren, who used to be a school teacher for many years in Bahre Hasa, died just be.fo~e, Christmas. It was a great testimony to us who wer.e pr.esent at his death-bed to notice his faith and trust and" joy before he peacefully passed away. In closing this report we want to thank everybody who has in any way enabled us to carryon the work. Tha.nk you! BERGLJOT & GUNNAR 'FOSSLAND.

264 The I life of a church reveals itself through acts of faith. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ draws the members of the congregation together for worship and for holy communion; faith leads them to bring their children for holy baptism. and to give their offerings for the Lord's work. And faith alone is able to draw the world into the fellowship of saints in Christ. Looking over the Congregational Returns for the year. 1943, and adding together the different items, may in one way be regarded as a very tedious work; but looked at as registration of acts of faith, a higher illumination falls on the figures revealing the continuous growth of that living faith and obedience which started on the mo.untain in Galilee. when the Lord spoke the words: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the' Father, and of the Son. and of thee Holy, Ghost,-". In the 235 places of worship there w :)re held in all 1224 communion services, 810 children of Christian parents were ba.pt~zed. and 672 were admitted "from outside were confirmed. and 218 couples were married. The tota;l amount of church collections, women's "cupnt' cand&"

265 78 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THk NORTHERN CHtrRCHES. I and other offerings amounted to &so 14,314. The offerings in the Assam area both among the Santals and among the Boros were especially high, indicating th~t offerings in kind brought in more money than usual. In the attached Summary of Congregational Returns we do not print all the material collected. Bearing in mind the famine conditiqns of this part of India during 1943, it may be rev~aling to mention that in our small community of nearly twenty seven thousand. 734 cases of death were reported. This works out 27 pro mill. and yet we know from experience that actual mortality is always higher than what we get on record. Due to the unsettled conditions in the early part of the year, no meeting of the Synod was called. Certain papers relating to Standing Rules for Congregations, Church Councils and the Church were circulated among the members of the Synod. and will come up at the next meeting. The different District Church Councils have met from time to time and in. spite of the general nervousness among' all types of people, the work of the Church has been carried on in an orderly way. On the recommendation by the Santal Parganas Church Council two new pastors were ordained at Dumka on Whitsunday, June 13th. They were. Cunu M urmu, for work in Tarni. Peter' Murmu, for work at Beldanga, Murshidabad district: Before closing this report, it must also be mentioned that the two Santal Pastors. Jujhar Soren anld Munshi Hembrom, have continued with the Santal Labour Companies and have done good service. Pastor Karan Soren was appointed an E~ A. R. O. and made one tour to oertain units and administered to their need. Much more work

266 SEVENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 79 of this nature ought to be done. for man.y young Santals are now to be found far and wide; but proper arrangements cannot easily be made. Under this type of Diaspora work there is also a branch worked, by a Santal Committee, and one pastor, Bhogon Murmu, volunteered to go there and serve outside the territory of British India. Though the work there is just in the beginning. they have already been able to report good news. Strangely e~ough. one lay member of our church, Bhoje Soren, was called t6 the eternal rest when voluntarily giving his help in that new area. When nobody else was ready to respond to the invitation extended to us by a person appearing from there, Bhoje stood up in our workers' meeting and said: " Let th e dead bury their dead, I am willing to go." And so he followed to the strange land and learned the way, so that he in due time could lead better trained persons there. In his life this barely literate Santal acted up to the high teaching of our Lord: " Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. " J. GAUSDAL.

267 l,;ungretiailonal REI URNS ror IHE YEAR 1943.' ~- STATlON - f COMMUNITY WORKERS, MINISTRU'ION S I (I) III -- --,.,=,UNtlAY :--:CHII{)L-; II EOUCATJONAL I CHURCH COLLECTIONS III..c ~ III ~ III s::... ~... III Q) = AND.2,.Q.~ '1:1 s:: (I) &1-1 Q) ~ s:: ~ ~ ~ s:: o III as III III '1:1 S~ S... as Q) 0 QJ (J) III b() 1lI~ ~';O ~~ III 0 '1:IS::~'1:I~ s:: '1:18 ~ a '\Joo Qj... OTHER OFFERINGS Q) (I) III ~'s =.a... '1:1 E= ~ f:p ~ (I) Q.; Q.) Cj III (I) (I)... b{)'- 0!"'l. ~ ~~.~ ~~.~~ '"' ' Q) ~(.) Q)!.~ as CJ::< "0 ;:g b() _...c::... s:lt :0 '0 :g s:o III ]~ '1:1 -, 0 ~.,-... s:lt as I-. l=l 0 tis 0 :;::0 ~&I-I g5...-i s:o s:o 0 a:: ~ tis...c...c c:ts~ Q)..0 ~. 0 C> ~ ~ p ~ p~ 8 ~~(.) c.q 0 ~o E-t 0 U.l (.) i 8..0 Rs. A. P. I, Kaerabani I ' '), 16 3il ) ].! Dhorompnr , 2 ' lot Dnmka ~ S p. 2 Maharo , ]~O Koroya ! i 1 19 ~ 7 1~ Condorpura ~ ! Sa1doha ~ 504 i v lol Basetknndi ()~ :Moh u1 pahari ~5 1 ~ 0 ~ ;) Tilabani :> ~5:~ 1 4 /' ~ :!~ '1 Benagaria > III :) Diaspora 2 2 P I TOTAL FOR AREA It Badhair \ 9 Khoribari 6 ~ :> ! Eklakhi 7 I ) Potra I : Rantnagar Phoridpur Narayanpur ~8 635 ~ I TOTAL FOB A.REA Assam Colony ;~ llornai \ :210 I 4 l:n Joema tH :W 5 75 :> Santi para J ~ ~ TOTAL FOB.ABEA Gaorang I Bongaigaon , i TOTAL :FOR AREA Dnmka B Narainpur Suri ) N imasarai 18 4~ ] Cooch Behar RO "TOTAL FOB AREA i TOTAL ' ,. _ L ! to !. \ I

268 Auditors' Certiftcate+ Certified that we have checked the books of the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches for the years ended 31st December 1942 and 31st December 1943 as follows :- The General Cash Book has been examined with the Subsidiary Books and vouchers and is correct. The Bank Pass Book has been 'checked and agreed. Regarding Emergency and Indian Workers' Pension Fund investments we have seen Certificates from the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Bombay for the sum of Rs. 70, and Messrs. J etmull Bhojraj, Da~jeeling fo"r Rs. 6, held by jjl.em on current accounts at 31st December We have also seen the Fixed Deposit Receipt for'-- Rs. 5, dated 15th May 1943 of Messrs. Mohadeolal Prabhudayal, Dumka and the Savings Bank Pass Books in respect of Messrs. R. J. Himatsingka and the Post Office Defence Savings Bank for Rs. 1, and Rs at 31se December The Government of IndIa inscribed stock for the face value of Rs. 34,000/- as also drafts on Dumka Treasury Nos and dated 19th and 14th December 1943 for Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 14:, were produced to us for our verification. We have also seen a certificate from the Secretary of the Mission for the sum of Rs. 10, held by him in cash on 31~t December No certificates for the sum of Rs. 9, and Rs. 5, held by Lloyds Bank, Ld. Darjeeling on Savings and current accounts were produ(~ed to us but these agreed with the respective Pass Books of the Bank. We have seen nothing in support of the amount held by the Chartered Bank of India Australia and China. Calcutta for Rs. 18,000/- held by them on current "account at 31st December The investments on account of the Emergency Fund and the Indian Workers' Pension Fund are detailed in Cash Book folio 104. We have examined the Zemindary Accounts and have ascertained that all remittances have been accounted for in the General Cash Book.. The Colony Cash Books have been checked as follows :- Such Vouchers as are available have been checked and all remittances from the Mission have been seen to be duly entered, all postings of the Loan Books have been checked and the total balances of Loa.ns and Deposits outstandings have been agreed therewith. C.alcutta March 7th It Sd. LOVELOCK LEWES Chartered Accountants Registered Accountants.