The history of the Christian Church in any country is a subject of great importance not only to the Christians of that country and their brethren in other lands, but also to students of general history, for, in some respects, Church History is more interesting than political history and often forms an essential part of it. The subject becomes doubly interesting when it is known that Christianity has taken root in a country like Travancore under very adverse circumstances. Travancore Church is one of the most ancient Churches, if not the most ancient Church in all India, and its early history is invested with peculiar interest. Even at the present day, Travancore is one of the most prosperous and successful fields of Missionary labour. It is therefore with some peculiar pleasure that one desires to investigate the origin of such a Church, the causes of its anomalous growth, and the progress of events which led to such a happy issue. I feel that such a great theme should have been undertaken by an abler hand than myself and it should have been accomplished at least be-fore the last of the Pioneer Missionaries or their native helpers passed away. As however, no Church History of Travancore has yet been written, and as time advances, the chances of getting records and facts that will throw light on the early history of Christian Missions will become rarer and rarer, tunless something be done before it be too late, I have done what I could towards the elucidation of portions of the history of this interesting Indian Church.
This book was originally intended as biographical sketch-es of Pioneer Missionaries, but latterly the plan of the work was modified and extended as to embrace the history of Christianity in Travancore. More facts and materials were collected, and connected and arranged in this narrative form, For want of a more suitable term, I have made bold to call it a History, though I am conscious of many defects in the general arrangement, polish, style &c. Being however written by a native of Travancore, and being the first attempt at writing the history of that Church, I trust that my gentle readers will bear its faults.
The book was written under very unfavourable circumstances. My own regular official duties allowed me very little leisure, and scarcely a holiday. The manuscripts were printed in a humble Mission Press with no pretensious to any regular establishment, and the Press was in a place 450 miles away from where the author resides, with no direct railway connection. I regret that I had no opportunity of seeing the final proofs.
I am aware that there are some gaps in the history that require to be filled up with more detailed information. Over twelve loug years I have waited in the hope of obtaining more materials, and I should have waited longer still, but the uncertainties of life make it imperative on one to present the results of his researches in however crude a form, and as early as possible, leaving it to others to follow up the interesting subject and develop it.
Pisgah.' The Christian population of Travancore as compared with other parts of India. The proportion of Christiaus as compared with other sects. Distribution of Chris-tians to the area. The population of the different Christian sections in Travancore. The external progress of Christianity in Travancore during the 19th century. The apparent pause in recent years. The proportionate increase in the number of Christian Churches in Travancore during the 19th century. The progress of Christianity in the neighbouring state of Cochin. The corresponding declension of Hinduism in Travancore during the 19th century. The analogy with the general historical progress of Christianity in other countries. Causes of the anamoly. The four different views. I. The tolerant policy of the Native Government. 2. The political ascendancy of the various European Christian Powers in contact with Travancore. 3. The marked in difference of the people. 4. The labours of Christian Missionaries and the fulfilment of God's promises. I How far the alleged tolerant policy of the Native Government tended to the increase of Christian population. The protection afforded to the early Syrian Christians. Sirkar aid to Christian Churches. The exemption of Church grounds from tax. Sirkar aid to the Roman Catholic Churches. Sirkarid a to the Protestant Churches. 2 Political reasons for the anamoly. Portuguese Government aid and the protection to Travancore churches. Plans and the avowed object of the Portuguese to propagate Christianity. Portuguese Bishoprics pertinacity to their ancient faith. The Dutch. The nature of and Vicarage Apostolics in Travancore. Syrian Christians' interference and degree of influence exercised by the Dutch in matters christian in Travancore and Cochin. The Dutch Treaty with Travancore The Danes in Travancore and their connection with Christian Missions. The British Power and Christianity in India. The British Residents of Travan-core. Col. Macaulay. Col. John Munro. Their successors generally Col. McDouall, Newall, Morrison, Cadogan, Casa. maijor and Fraser. The apparent opposition of General Cullen. Mr. F. N. Maltby 3. The alleged indifference of the people. Is it real? Specific instances of past persecutions. Dewan Velu Thumby's designs against Christianity. The war of 1809 a religious war. The dreadful massacre of Christians in 1809. The collective evidence of the Pioneer Missionaries. Dr. Buchanan, Joseph Ramban, Mar Thoma, Bp. Raymond, Fr. Prospero, Ringeltanbe, Mead, Mault, Abbs, Russell, Norton, Peet, Hawksworth &c. The inference from the above extracts. The present policy of the Travancore Government in matters ecclesiastical. 4. The labours of missionaries and Proselytism. Political missionaries. Missionaries as patrons of their converts. The result of missionary labours in Travancore. The value of a Native Christian population to the stability of the British power in India. The mother Churches to Travan-core. The outlines of Syrian Church History. The outlines of Roman Catholic Church History. The outlines of Protestant Church History. The general conclusion. The prospects of Christianity in Travancore.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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