Dr.K. Chatterji at Edinburgh 1910

While many people know about V.S. Azariah, only a few know about Dr. K. Chatterji. Charles Clayton Morrison in Christian Century writes:

A striking contribution is made by Dr. K. Chatterji, a converted Hindu. . . . he states in beautiful and soft English what difficulties a Hindu experiences in becoming a Christian. He had long stumbled at the doctrine of Atonement. The Hindus have a vivid sense of punishment due each individual for his wrongdoing, and it is inconceivable to them that another should suffer for their sins. At a previous session a speaker had called for the preaching of the “old-fashioned gospel in the old-fashioned way.” Dr. Chatterji gives the effective reply. He makes the conference realize the great harm done by unethical representations of the doctrine of the Atonement, and how pathetically missionaries are handicapped who do not appreciate the inner life of the people whose religion they wish to supplant.

(Excerpts from The World Missionary Conference, 1910 by Charles Clayton Morrison Christian Century July 4-11, 1984, p. 660 (reprinted from the July 7, 1910, issue)

Cape of Good Hope (1810): A lost opportunity?!!

The World Missionary conference (WMC) convened in Edinburgh, 1910. But, the call for a world conference was sounded by William Carey a century back. The (Baptist) Missionary in India proposed a meeting of Christians from all denominations at the Cape of Good Hope in 1810. Andrew Fuller could not see beyond and thought it was impossible for Christians to come together, let alone discuss. He thought unity (amidst rabid denominationalism) was impossible and dismissed Carey’s proposal. Well…a meeting of christians of all denominations was not a ‘pleasing dream’.

However, the realization of Carey’s proposal came a century later. Was Cape of Good Hope (1810) a missed opportunity? I can’t help but raise the question: If the conference was planned and convened in 1810, would it have made a difference to Christian unity and witness? Well…we may never have the answers to “what-if” questions. But, we’re glad that Edinburgh 1910 happened. On hind sight we know that the World Missionary conference had done a lot of good to Christian unity and witness in the 20th century (?!). May God grant us sensitivity to understand and accept foresight as well as insight. The task of world Evangelization requires us to think future and be future ready.

The Calcutta Connection

Calcutta Missionary Conference was an interdenominational body of Protestant missionaries. However, it was drawn mainly from Church Missionary Society (CMS) , Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) and London Missionary Society (LMS). It was first established in 1831 to influence public opinion (both the Indian and British) and government policy.

The Calcutta Missionary Conference published the Calcutta Christian Observer, a monthly journal. It’s primary concern was ‘the advocacy of science, literature and Evangelical Christianity’. Interestingly, the Calcutta Missionary Conference engaged women in missionary work. Women missionaries were enrolled as full members ‘with the same status and rights as men’. The conference also discussed gender issues like the status and condition of Indian women.

However, the landmark achievement of the Calcutta Missionary Conference was The First General Conference of Protestant Missionaries in Bengal (4 – 7 September 1855). The General conference was attended by 47 missionaries from various Societies. This was a humble beginning but it ultimately grew into the great World Missionary Conference (Edinburgh, 1910). The First General Conference of Protestant Missionaries in Bengal was the first step towards the formation of the later global missionary unity.