The Seeker
| Volume | Date | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easter 1947 | 1 |
Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you Free— Jesus Christ (John 8:32)
This little occasional pamphlet will stand for:
Review and criticism of important events and opinions.
Advocacy of radical and independent thinking.
Encouragement of new experiments, progressive movements, ventures of faith and indigenous efforts such as:
- Christian Ashrams,
- Study of Hinduism,
- Indian form of Christian worship,
- An indigenous church in India,
- An Indian Christian Theology,
- Christian Literature etc.
Promotion of peace and concord among all men on the basis of truth.
Freedom and toleration.
Justice for the oppressed, neglected, deprived, weak and helpless.
Brief articles and concise opinions along the above lines will be welcome and published.
129, Dashashwamedh,
R.C. Das
Benares
India
Contributions will be gratefully acknowledged.
Prayer for Moral Courage
Lord and King, We pray thee this day for courage to face unpopularity for the sake of truth. For courage to declare boldly our convictions, though they make us despised.
For courage to break with evil custom and evil opinion, even though for so doing we are shunned and outcast.
Give us strong hearts that will not fear what any man may do unto us, confident in the power of truth, - Truth unsupported by numbers or resources, To establish itself supreme by its own inherent force, Sovereign over all benighted and reactionary opposition.
Give us the courage of soul which can scorn the possession of a good name amongst men, Content to be alone with Thee in the right, Victorious over weak and craven sensitiveness to popular opinion. Give us, O Lord, thy spirit of boldness, that we may trample on our fear of our fellows, Being strong in Thee and very courageous.
— Hayland
Good Friday and Easter
This Friday is good because it reminds us again that God is good, gave his son for our salvation. This act of God in giving himself in his son is good in itself. But it does us no good until and unless we know this Good God and experience his love in our own hearts. In the daily round of opportunities and difficulties, hopes and fears, good and evil, in joys and sorrows in our life both personal and collective-we must share in the Passion of our Lord in the struggle for truth, justice and Love. Only then Good Friday will be meaningfully good for us. Calvary is the Terrible Focus of Time through which all true life must pass and come into New Birth.
Easter is Joy because it is Triumph-triumph of righteousness over sin, light over darkness and life over death-triumph of life in obedience to the will of God. Jesus Christ died and rose again. This is not merely a fact of history and a doctrine of the Church but has vital relevance to our individual life and the life of the race. Mere belief in it however strongly professed and preached by the church will not convince men of its truth and efficacy unless profession and preaching are equal to witnessing and testimony i.e. accompanied by love, joy, peace and victory in life. It would not be much use adding another Festival -Easter-to the numerous list of festivals in this land unless it had a very practical meaning to her manifold problems. Let Easter create hope, confidence and courage in men’s hearts who are hungry for dynamic truths and do not care for doctrinaire interpretations of the meaning of Good Friday and Easter. The Lord of Life & Death, himself can meet these deep needs of men and the Church must show him to the world, if it can or he himself will appear in his inimitable way as the Risen and living Lord.
Two Notable Conferences
Early in October 1946 a group conference of Indian Christian leaders was held for 3 days at the Ashram in Tirupattur in South India. The inspiration care from the Rev. Alexander McLeish and Dr. Robert Cochran, Principal of Vellore Medical College. Both are intimately connected with the World Dominion Movement of London, Mr. McLeish who had been a missionary in India for many years is now a Director of Surveys and happens to be the present Chairman of the Conference of British Missionary Societies. Last year he was in India studying conditions and gathering impressions and views on Church mission problems. A similar conference was called in N. India at the Christian Ashram in Brindaban in the early part of February last to meet Mr. McLeish and acquaint him with the latest Indian Christian opinion, He also met other small groups of the younger generation and of independent way of thinking.
Practically all questions of church and mission policy have been touched. Findings are available in print. Write to Mr. McLeish c/o World Dominion, Founders Lodge, Mildmay Centre, London N. I. or to Rev. R.C. Das, 129, Dashashwamedh, Benares.
A very brief resume of opinions on urgent and important subjects is given here.
In free India many readjustments in relationship will be required and citizens of other nations must reckon themselves as guests in the country.
Devolution has not always been satisfactory and methods and practices have not been fully adapted to Indian conceptions. Many missionary organisations have not made any noteworthy adjustments to meet the situation rapidly crystalising into something new and national.
A state of tension is inevitable and in certain directions acute. All foreign organisations are under trial in regard to their fundamental relationship with and treatment of Indians. Societies must take prompt steps to prevent a serious crisis. Delay is dangerous.
Causes of friction, such as, racial discrimination, salary inequalities, inadequate housing, mission properties-are merely symptoms of a deeper malady.
The conference is not interested in administrative machinery but is concerned that there should be adequate facilities for the growth of the Indian Church along Indian lines-particularly greater place being given in its worship to the finest elements in the spiritual heritage in India such as in Ashrams and other indigenous methods. The widespread low spiritual state of the Church and the general misunderstanding of the implications of the gospel constitute a grave danger. Changed men and deepening of spiritual life are the only solution of the Church’s sickness.
It was therefore urged that for the sake of preserving right relationship between missionaries and Indian leaders societies should take into the fullest account the national view point and not base their action on reports of their representative only, but fully ascertain Indian opinion on every point.
As to Church union the conference while appreciating the move felt that by itself it will not bring about a new quality of living. It hopes however that a truly national church will arise through closer fellowship.
The church under the national government will have to concentrate on training of leaders in different services. In the field of education the church must hold up the value of religious experience in life.
Church and Mission: Some expressed themselves altogether against receiving any money from the west. Others would welcome grants unconditionally given. Any way, no committee outside India should control work. Local representative committees should be final.
The conference, while welcoming offers of consecrated service from the church in other lands, would emphasise the necessity of such workers coming under discipline and guidance of the church in India in full accord with their fellow Indian workers, coming as colleagues and willing to work with and under them. Foreign workers should not be denominational minded, should be sympathetic towards the national aspiration of India and free from every trace of racial and colour prejudice. Through a certain machinery India must issue the call t such workers from overseas.
The present tendency to suppress initiative and pioneering efforts’ on the part of many Christians in India is to be deplored. The conference would issue a warning against the danger of exalting the organisation over the Christian personality through which all forward moves in the church have been taken. It would point out that the prophetic ministry as distinct from the priestly has always claimed its freedom to function to the great advantage of the Ecumenical church. Real spiritual leadership must not be stifled: any organisation stands condemned when it largely exists to maintain the status quo and vested interests. Not only is there danger of sniffling Indian leadership but also of doing the same to missionary initiative.
With regard to Devolution a further question may be asked - Can the Mission by this handing over process really form an indigenous church? There is the obvious danger of being captured by the organisation under the control of vested interests both Indian and foreign. Not devolution by imposition but the assimilation by the church desiring and asking for power and responsibility ought to be the real policy.
Christians and the Indian Heritage: The convert to Christianity feels strongly the absence of a spiritual home in the Christian church. Such spiritual affinity will only be realised when there is deeper study and a better understanding of the finest elements of the Hindu-Muslim culture of India. The school of Hinduism in Benares is doing useful work in interpreting Hindu religion and philosophy. Similar effort should be made in South India.
Ashrams: Their growth and developments in India are a matter for great thankfulness. Their spirit of fellowship, avenues of service, provision for regular worship and their attempts to Indianise Christian methods of work and worship must be made known more widely to the churches-who should increasingly cooperate with their work by sending suitable workers far more than at present. Missionaries who come out to India will do well to spend a few months in the Ashrams.
The conference at Tirupattur Ashram was presided over by Mr. P. Chenchiah M.L. the Lawyer-Judge and Christian thinker and leader. The one held at Brindaban was conducted under the chairmanship of the Rev. A. Ralla Ram D.D. General Secretary of the S.C.M. of India and President U.P. Christian Council. Among those present were Rev. S.J. Duraisamy N.M.S., Rev. Dr. A.J. Appasamy - well known scholar and writer, Rev. J.S.S. Subramania, Mrs. L. Honegger, Mr. D.M. Devasahayam, Dr. S. Jesudasan, S. Gurubotham, Rev. T. Naranimham, Dr. R.G. Cochran, Rev, Abdul Haq, Rev. A.C. Chakravertty, Prof. A.J. Shaw, M.A. (Editor, The Indian Witness), Miss. K. Sircar, M.A., Prof. N.G. Joardar, Dr. B. Malavya (Principal, Christian College, Allahabad), R.C. Das of Benares etc. It is presumed that the resolutions and statements would be sent to all societies in India and abroad. One hopes that something good may come out of all this.
Prayer
For Racial Reconciliation.
God of all nations, we pray Thee for allotted people of Thy earth:
For those who are consumed in mutual hatred and bitterness.
For those who make bloody war upon their neighbours,
For those who groan under cruelty and subjection.
We pray thee for all those who bear rule and responsibility.
For child races and dying races.
For outcaste tribes, the backward and the downtrodden
For the ignorant, the wretched, the enslaved.
We beseech thee to teach mankind to live in peace
No man exploiting the weak, no man hating the strong.
Each race working out its own destiny,
Unfettered, self-respecting, fearless.
Teach us to be worthy of freedom,
Free from social wrong, free from oppression and contempt
Pure of heart and hand, despising none, defrauding none,
Giving to all men — in all the dealings of life -
The honour we owe to those who are thy children,
Whatever their colour, their race or their caste.
— Hayland
Unity in Essentials
Diversity in non-essentials
Charity in all things.
The Ashramas
Numerous Ashramas, especially in the south, have been started in this country by Christians both Indian and Western. In the case of most of these only the name is Indian. The spirit and method are still foreign. In the name of Ashramas they are just conducting Missions that have largely failed because of their lack of vital contact with the country’s life. The Ashramas will also fail. The mere name will not add any strength to them. The native meanings, implications, spirit and atmosphere must also be present. Friends should study from living personalities and active institutions and then set about an Ashram. Study both theoretical and practical is an essential prerequisite for the success of an Ashram. There is ample good literature on the subject for those who will take the trouble.
Study of Hinduism
Sanskrit and Hinduism with its allied branches have been studied and books written by some European Orientalists and Indologists out of a love for knowledge and a spirit of adventurous quest. Some missionaries and Indian Christians have done it to an extent out of a missionary motive. In this second class of mission literature on Hinduism the attempt to score a point is very evident and strong. Intrinsic merit has often been vitiated by a competitive spirit. An amount of bias has disqualified critics meeting truth as such. There is need for a Christian study of Hinduism, as of other subjects, in a spirit of regard for truth and of tolerance. If Christ is the Truth, as I believe he verily is, the Christian student need not be overcautious or afraid. It is necessary in this stage of the religious consciousness of man that the highest and noblest in Hinduism should be met and answered in a spirit of reverence, love and humility by Christian truth. But every one is not rationally or emotionally fit to undertake this delicate and responsible task. The study should be motive not only in the interests of truth but for other urgent reasons at the moment e.g. mutual understanding and goodwill. Ignorance is a dangerous cause of hatred and violence.
Notices and News
1. Almora in Summer
The fourth of the special annual sessions of the Martha Yisudasi Khristkul Mukti Ashram, Kalimat, Almora will be conducted in May and June this summer. Sadhus, sanyasis, unattached evangelists and others interested in the extension of God’s Kingdom and in the use of indigenous method of approach will be welcome. For visitors a daily inclusive charge of Rs. 2/- will be made. Workers and helpers will be freely entertained. In case of need travelling may be paid. Distribution of literature, witnessing, visits to villages, shrines, Ashramas, important personalities, lectures and meetings, Bible study and comparative study of Christianity and Hinduism will be the general features of the work. Occasion will be taken to deepen fellowship, observe silence and meditation and a prayerful spirit. Gifts towards the expenses will be gratefully acknowledged either by Mr. S.B. Tewarson, Treasurer of the local committee or by the undersigned.
129, Dashashwamedh,
Benares,
R.C. Das,
Organiser.
2. Fellowship of Christian Ashrams (N. India)
During the last fifteen years a Fellowship of Christian ashrams in North India has been steadily organised on the simple basis of mutual helpfulness—such as Ishapanthi Ashram at Puri, Christian Ashram at Brindaban, Khristpanthi Ashram at Benares, Christian Ashram Sangha in Bengal, Khristkul Ashram at Almora etc. Independent evangelists and Sadhus and Sanyasis have also been covered in the Fellowship. Under its auspices so far half a dozen Retreats and Conferences have been held in Benares and Brindaban. Special evangelistic and educational work has been done at Haridwar and Almora. Under it the Ashrams are autonomous. We meet for mutual encouragement and counsel. There is a simple constitution of rules. Pioneering and indigenous efforts should be united and then only we can go forward.
129, Dashashwamedh,
Benares
R.C. Das,
Secretary.
3. Study of Hindu Faith and Culture
As usual in the month of October next around the Dusserah holidays study courses will be arranged. These courses specially aim at equipping Christian workers with accurate knowledge of, and a suitable method of approach to, Hinduism. Teachers, evangelists, pastors, missionaries, students have all benefitted in the past. Benares offers the right atmosphere and necessary facilities for such studies and investigations in its hundreds of temples, Ashrams, Muths, Sages and scholars of all types of thought and devotion. Here is an adequate laboratory for practical research into both higher and popular Hinduism. Enquiries should be addressed well in advance to:
129, Dashashwamedh,
Benares
R.C. Das
4. Sadarpur Khrista Shishyashram
In the district of Barisal in Bengal in the Sundarban forests close to the Bay an Ashram building is to be dedicated on the 3rd April 1947 and a Retreat held during Easter. Mr. Jitendra Nath Huldar — a sanyasi of some years standing is the moving spirit. He is Secretary of the Christian Ashram Sangha in Bengal who stand for vital evangelism, indigenous methods and independence of the Church. At this function at Sadarpur, they are to have Kirtan singing by parties from other place. We were invited and had a great mind to go. But serious riots both in Benares and Calcutta-have intervened. May God shower his richest blessings upon all who gather and make these humble efforts of his faithful servants fruitful in service of men.
5. Christian League
A party with the above name of all Christian protestants, Catholics, Anglo-Indians and Europeans has been recently formed in Delhi with much fanfare. A branch in Allahabad is also reported to have been started. Padri Abdul, Hague-the noted Christian scholar and evangelist is the leader of this party. It vaguely aims at uniting Christians against injustice and for securing right of the community. It is plainly Political. Some hard questions arise. How could Indian Christians, though one in religion but different in everything else, unite with Europeans and other non-Indians in matters political? The whole thing is absurd. Though Anglo-Indians might in time coalesce with Indians just at present they have their own accredited organisations. The League’s constitution does not seem to have been published anywhere. As long as recognised organisations of Indian Christians exist such as the I.C.A. and the Joint Committee of Catholic Union and All India Conference of Protestants the effort to create another party is mischievously disruptive, and the whole idea is ominously similar to the Muslim League. It also sounds like a big Church Union movement.
Benares Work 1946
The normal work in meetings and interviews and Bible Classes at the city centre in Dashashwamedh and other places as well as visits to ghats lanes, homes and religious and educational institutions was carried on with the help of a few visitors and enquirers. Selling of Gospels and witnessing to small groups and individuals as well as to large crowds in Melas brought encouragement to them who participated. Work is done in places which are never visited by mission workers and done in a way which is not common in mission circles. After a full course at the Benares Institute of Hinduism Mr. Huldar stayed on for several months work especially in the interests of Ashrams. Five enquirers were taught for months. But unfortunately they had to be dismissed with the closing of the United City Mission in the course of the year. Two of them in particular would have confessed their faith by now. My ministry in the city would continue independently, as before if not better, under the grace of God. Visitors desirous of getting experience of work among Hindus would be welcome. Dashashwamedh Reading Room and Library has been visited by educated younger including students of the Hindu University, by professors and pilgrims with increasing earnestness. Many are keenly interested in the development of a Christian Ashram in Benares on indigenous lines. It was an occasion of much joy and happiness when our eldest daughter, Shovana, was married on 7th October 1946. Hindu and Christian guests joined. She is happily settled with her husband at Allahabad.
In October last for a full month the Benares Institute of Hinduism was conducted with seven regular and five casual students. One lady student came from a far Eastern district. Though connected with a non-evangelical body she evinced the liveliest interest in work among women and children in thickly populated quarters in the city and was actually surprised that such work was possible in an orthodox place. This is possible because it is all done in an unorthodox style. In May, I had to go to Landour to give a series of lectures on Hinduism at the community centre.
In the summer for two months, work of witnessing-preaching, visiting and gospel selling was carried on intensively in connection with the Khristkul Ashram at Almora, (This work will be done again this year in May and June). A simple course in Hinduism, Bible study relating to the Apostolic Church; Sanyas and Ashram ideals besides prayer and testimony meetings were held. Both at Benares and Almora two sadhus and two independent evangelists among others gave valuable help.
A week’s visiting work was done at Haridwar and Rishikesh in May among the pilgrims and Sanyasis in the different Ashrams and Muths. A small Christian Ashram at or near this place will be a most convenient shelter for visiting workers to this very important Hindu centre. At the Magh mela preaching work in Allahabad Mr. Huldar took a considerable part and I paid a short visit. In the month of March a Retreat Conference of Sadhus, free preachers and Ashram leaders was held for two weeks at Brindaban. Good preaching work, gospel selling and personal work was done during the Ratha Yatra and Dol festivals in the town, on the ghats and mohulla and institutions in Brindaban. The music party of theological students from Bareilly Seminary with their Guruji Professor Yamuna Prasad Chaubey made a valuable contribution. The passing away recently of this veteran Christian teacher of Indian music is a great loss to the church.
Besides attending meetings in connection with the Tract Society, Christian Council, Indian Theological Conference and the Christian Society for the study of Hinduism-I paid visits to religious centres like Vindhyachal and Gaya. Many old enquirers were contacted. The Travancorean youth who had been a nominal Christian before but found grace and joy in Jesus has made progress in his spiritual life. He has recently bought an expensive Bible and left for Calcutta on transfer with blessings and letters of recommendation. A young Brahmachari living in a Muth near Asi Ghat has attended my meetings and read many devotional books from the Library. He is at present taking his final M. A. in Indian Philosophy. A number of patients from among pilgrims and others have been helped. One youth a T.B. patient at Madar has become an earnest enquirer. Soliciting prayers, and sympathy and interest in this worthwhile but difficult work of evangelism in this typically orthodox centre of Hinduism.
Look Up and Lift Up Your Heads
St. Luke Chapter 21.
Recently I read with some thoroughness the contents of the 21st chapter of St. Luke with a thoughtful and devout Hindu gentleman. He was deeply impressed beyond measure.
I earnestly commend this chapter for careful and prayerful study to every reader of this booklet. You will be heartened and blessed.
In these days of uncertainty, confusion, distress and danger in your patience possess your soul. “Look up … for your redemption draweth nigh.”
R.C. Das.
The Political Situation
The communal riots buffeting the body politic of India in recent years originate from self-consciousness, fear complex and a race for power. The dominating causes are political and economic. The religious and cultural differences are a clock and an excuse. In their own interests our rulers have been fishing in troubled waters by following the policy of divide and rule. But the consequences are too serious for the vast majority of law-abiding and non-political masses. Even the methods of dealing with the violent phenomena such as collective fines, punitive police and curfews are a heavy financial and psychological strain on the innocent, while the political instigators and criminals go about more or less freely. The primary obligation of any government is the protection of the life and property of its subjects. This is not being adequately discharged to-day. The principles of justice, firmness and common good ought to be the guiding dynamic. Striking the evil hard on the head should not be avoided. Wrong ideologies leading to differences and violence should not be tolerated in the name of freedom. Goaded by hunger and nakedness the people of India are being inevitably prepared for a revolution. It will be an unhappy and mischievous event for mankind if British political rule ends, as it seems, with a legacy of misery, strife and hatred.
League and Congress
In the political sphere men try in vain to reconcile essentially conflicting communal ideologies or contradictory ethical ideas. They are loathe to face truth. They say compromise is the essence of politics. Nothing can be more disastrous than this policy of prudence. Men have followed it age after age and have to face war after war. In India particularly for a long time this vacillating policy of self-interest in trying to resolve fundamentally clashing positions has resulted in the present situation. On the one hand the Muslim League position for Pakistan i. e, for a divided India and on the other hand the stand for a united democratic state represented by the congress and other bodies can never be reconciled. This must have been obvious to thinking British rulers, and yet they have tried and tried and failed again and again. The right thing would have been to stand for one position and forge ahead The compromise of the two is not possible, even if seemingly effected, it will snap immediately. The contrast between theocracy and democracy is a simple ethical contradiction. Self-interest prevents men from facing truth and lack of truth means lack of unity. Disunity brings untold suffering to the innocent.