p. 10 | AN INDIAN CONFERENCE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 36.

AN INDIAN CONFERENCE.

MR. L. B. WOLF, a missionary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, sends the following report to the N. Y. Independent:—

“Kodaikanal is, in the general opinion, the most delightful ‘hill station’ in South India, if not the most invigorating in all India. The missionary bodies muster strong here, and there are generally from ten to twelve societies represented. Last year it was determined to start, if possible, a conference of all missionaries who meet on these hills from year to year; but when the question was brought under discussion, a larger idea was developed, namely, that instead of a Kodaikanal Conference, embracing only those missions and missionaries who assemble here, the attempt should be made to embrace all south India and dependent provinces. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution, to report at a general meeting one year hence. This committee did its work during 1896-97, and presented a draft set of rules for the control of the conference, which were approved at meetings held in the month of May this year.

“But at the start of this enterprise we had only to expect the verification of the proverb, ‘All beginnings are difficult.’ The first real difficulty in the way seems to be the question as to the basis of our organization. All are agreed that we should come closer together, and endeavor to work more harmoniously, presenting a united front to Hinduism; but there is a difference of opinion as to whether this will be best secured by an organization based on the individual, or on the mission as an organizing unit. We of Kodaikanal have from the first insisted on an organizing of the mission forces by regarding the individual as the only possible present basis, especially when the difficulty is remembered of getting a large body to act, as well as the unfairness, when the smallness of many missions is considered. A large mission would have no more power or voice than a small one, with five or ten members. We have, in the face of an adverse opinion from the missionaries of Ootakamund, determined to start our organization, have settled upon a constitution, and have determined to lay our plans before each missionary in south India, with the hope that the present organization may be the beginning of a closer union and more concerted action in all matters of importance, and all mission work in this part of the great Indian field.

“A three days’ conference was held on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of May; and live missionary questions were discussed. Dr. Jones, of the Madura Mission, read a paper on ‘The Different Methods of Mission Administration,’ the Rev. J. H. Wyckoff, of the Arcot Mission, followed with a very thoughtful paper on ‘The Best Means to Develop a Native Pastorate.’

On the second day the Rev. W. H. Findlay, of the Wesleyan Mission, opened the discussion of the question of ‘The Relationship of Missions to the Educational Department of Government,’ and Miss M. Root followed with an admirable paper on ‘Work among Non-Christian Women and Girls.’ All these subjects were opened for discussion, and many valuable hints and suggestions fell from the lips of the various speakers in the course of the five-minute speeches that followed.

“The session on the third day was of a more popular nature, with the purpose in view of enlisting all Europeans more fully in Christian work. Addresses were made by the Rev. Mr. Sharrock, of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, on ‘A Brahman Convert,’ Mr. Eddy on ‘The Students’ Volunteer Movement,’ and the Rev. L. B. Wolf, on ‘What Some Christian Laymen Have Done for India.’

“The above is an attempt to carry out one of the objects of the association, the plan being to hold an annual conference, such as this, at some place in south India. I am sure that the eighty or one hundred missionaries present at this first meeting are unanimous in voting it a success.”