‚SITUATION CREATED BY THE WAR‘
The National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon had agreed in April, 1939, to bring its Executive Committee together in the event of war.201 Thus, September 27th – 29th, the Committee members assembled at the N.C.C. headquarters of Nagpur to consider the uncomfortable situation in the Indian Church caused by a war.202 The N.C.C. was better prepared than the National Missionary Council in the years 1914-1918. The church leaders, Hodge, Bishop Azariah and Dr. Strock, made their reports on what was termed the „Situation created by the War.“203
Hodge began by stating that the N.C.C. had established a favourable contact with the Home Department and had offered the Council’s guidance and services. He also reported that the N.C.C. had proceeded to inform the Provincial Christian Councils as well as the Mission Societies directly affected, both the German and the neighbouring missions, how these German Missions might be assisted in the event of another war.204
The Executive Committee members were also furnished a general review of the ‚Situation‘ in the German Missions;
Supplementary reports were given by Dr. Strock and the Bishop of Dornakal from which it appeared:
(1) The Gossner Field presented the least difficulty. The Church there became autonomous after the last war and the missionaries had been reduced to a handful. The Church Council had invited the Federation of Lutheran Churches to come to their help and the Federation had agreed to do so with the cordial approval of the local Government of Ranchi. Financial support was promised from America. Four unmarried ladies were carrying on their work unhindered.
(2) The Schleswig Holstein Mission. Dr. Strock reported that the Federation of Lutheran Churches were accepting responsibility at the request of the interned missionaries. The local arrangements were being made by the Council of the India Mission of the United Lutheran Church in America, with the approval of the interned missionaries and local officials.
(3) The Leipzig Mission. The Church of Sweden Mission jointly with the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church had undertaken responsibility for this field with the approval of the interned missionaries and the Federation of Lutheran Churches. In this case it was expected that further help from outside sources would be needed.
(4) The Basel Mission. The Bishop of Dornakal reported fully on the situation and suggested ways in which the help of the Council might be given. The chief task would be to strengthen the hands of the Swiss missionaries who are now in charge of the work.205
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Committee indicate that a number of resolutions were adopted;
(1) (It) … appreciates the desire of Government that mission work in areas directly affected by the war should be fully maintained and undertakes to render every possible help in this connection.
(2) It approves the initial steps already taken by the Secretariat of the Council.
(3) It gratefully acknowledges the ready response made by the Provincial Christian Councils, the Federation of Lutheran Churches in India, the Council of India Mission of the United Lutheran Church in America, the Church of Sweden Mission, the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Christian forces in India generally to the request for co-operation made by the officers of the N.C.C.
(4) It approves the … interim arrangements and commends them to the sanction of Government. …206
Further, the Committee welcomed these suggestions:
1. That immediate steps be taken to arrange for an outstanding British missionary to take up residence within the (Basel Mission) area and share with the Swiss missionaries the supervision of the work, … to secure an English manager for the Basel Mission Press, that … the Government of India be asked to recognize it as a Mission of a neutral country, (and) that the Government of India be asked to ratify the formation of the Trust Association of the Church. …
2. In view of the many difficult questions arising out of the situation that Mr. Hodge be instructed to seek an interview with the Home Department. …
3. That … he (Hodge) draw attention to … the desirability of local officials following a uniform and considerate procedure in their treatment of interned missionaries and their wives and families, the unmarried ladies, and the other missionaries that have been allowed to remain at their posts. …
4. That Government be advised, when malicious rumours regarding missionaries of enemy nationality reach them, to refer to the N.C.C. before taking action.
5. That special consideration be given to the case of those missionaries whose length of service in India and unquestioned loyalty make their presence among their Indian Christian brethren most desirable at this time.207
Focusing on the ‚Situation created by the War‘, the Committee members prepared „A Message to the Churches:“ 208
The National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon expresses its pain and sorrow at the outbreak of war in Europe. It realises that this tragic event will involve … untold loss and sufferings … by all countries of the world. Churches and Missions in all lands will be affected. The Council therefore calls upon all Churches to give themselves steadfastly to prayer, and an earnest endeavour to uproot the causes of war. . . .
Through this message the Council desires to convey its sympathy, and that of Christians in India generally, to the Churches and Missions whose work in certain areas has been affected by restrictions imposed by war conditions. It assures all individuals, institutions, local Missions and Churches of its resolve to do all in its power to minimise the losses, sufferings and dislocations caused by the state of war and to see that their work is not allowed to suffer. . . .
The Council remembers with kindly feelings missionaries of German nationality – fellow-workers in the Gospel – who have been interned, and expresses its deep sorrow that the cruel ordeal of war has necessitated their separation from their families and from the work to which they had given their lives. .. .
‚If one member suffereth, all the members of the Body suffer with it.‘ The Council therefore appeals to all Churches to respond generously to calls for help by giving their moral and material support whenever such calls are made. …209
The N.C.C. message of concern, appeal and intention was a befitting reminder to all Christians in India;
These days of crisis and opportunity summon the Church in India to accept new and heavier responsibilities. They call Christians of all communions to a deeper loyalty to their Lord, to the launching out on new and indigenous ventures in evangelism and other church activities. …210
This was to be the message and the test of the Church now.