N. Samuel of Tranquebar
Encyclopedia
Rev. N. Samuel ஞா.சாமுவேல் (18 September 1850 - 20 May 1927), Professor in Divinity, Pastor, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church
(T.E.L.C.). He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.) Council.
, in Chennai
, when death intervened.
.
Incidentally, Vedanayagam Sastriar
of Tanjore, Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai
, and N. Samuel of Tranquebar were known as the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets.
One of his earliest compositions was about a journey to Tanjore called Thanjai Payan Padham. Another was Kallu Kummi, The Toddy Kummi, where the strong drink talks about her glories, which made the drunkard blush in shame. His book Gospel Lyrics contains 200 songs composed over a period of 60 years.
He has also put the following German hymns into Tamil meter:
history, theology, and practical Christian living. He wrote for children too. He wrote in Tamil
and German
. He also translated several books from German to Tamil.
Some of the books authored by him are:
For theological students, he wrote:
For children, he wrote:
For parents, he wrote:
His translations:
He was one of those responsible for the translation of a revised version of the New Testament
(and Heinrich Plütschau) sent by the king of Denmark
in 1706 and Christian Friedrich Schwarz
, sponsored at the time by the Danish Missionary Society in Copenhagen.
He was ordained on 31 October 1878 at Tranquebar, by senior J. M. N. Schwartz. From that moment on, he served as Pastor in the Lutheran Mission (later known as T.E.L.C.) until his death on 20 May 1927, except for a brief stint with the Missouri Mission towards the end of his life from 1921-1927. The towns/cities where he served are: Tranquebar 1880-1891 & 1897-1919, Karaikal 1897-1919, Manikramam 1919, Porayar 1917-1919, Bangalore 1921, and Madras.
He preached his last sermon on 1 May 1927 in the Lutheran Adikalanathar Church, Purasawalkam, Madras on John
10:11-16.
was rooted in Lutheran Pietism
, a renewed form of the post-reformation Lutheranism that was held by theologians in Halle in the 16th century, such as August Hermann Francke
, 1663-1727 and Philipp Jakob Spener
, 1635-1705.
Needless to say, he was well versed with the life, works, and teachings of Martin Luther
.
He was a great lover of Spurgeon's
works, and possessed many of his books in his library. After reading John Ploughman's Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures, he wrote Ullathu Solvane. Rev. N. Samuel was known as Tamil Spurgeon, although it is not clear if he was thus known because of his strictness in doctrinal matters or because of his homiletic gifts. He was also familiar with Waltharian
views of Lutheranism. His allegiance was to God first and only then to his church. When it was time for the German missionaries to leave India, leaving the leadership on Indian shoulders, it was decided that the church would follow an Episcopal
form of church government. Rev. N. Samuel felt that this and other innovations that were introduced were not according to the Biblical model and protested. When he realised that change was inevitable, in the middle of 1921, he left T.E.L.C that he had served all his life, and joined the Missouri Mission
. He returned to the T.E.L.C. in 1927 shortly before his death.
Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church
Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in south India. It has been established in 1919.Its headquarters is in Tamil Nadu. It has about 100,000 members.. The bishops has the title "Bishop of Tranquebar". It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation...
(T.E.L.C.). He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.) Council.
Timeline
- Born at KumbakonamKumbakonamKumbakonam , also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India , is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 272 kilometres from Chennai, it is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam...
on 18 September 1850 - Trained by R. Handmann, Tranquebar Seminary 1877-1880 & 1892-1901
- Ordained on 31 October 1878 at TranquebarTranquebarTharangambadi is a panchayat town in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, 15 km north of Karaikal, near the mouth of a distributary of the Kaveri River. Its name means "place of the singing waves"...
, by senior J. M. N. Schwartz - Pastor at Tranquebar 1880-1891 & 1897-1919
- Pastor at KaraikalKaraikalKaraikal is a major port city of east coast of India and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said...
1897-1919 - Pastor at Manikramam 1919
- Pastor at Porayar 1917-1919
- Pastor at BangaloreBangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
1921 - With Missouri Mission 1921-1927
- Returned to T.E.L.C. Early 1927
- Died in Madras on 20 May 1927
Professor
He was the first Indian professor in the Theological Colleges in Tranquebar, Porayar, and Bangalore (United Theological College). He was slated to teach some classes in the Gurukul Lutheran Theological CollegeGurukul Lutheran Theological College
Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute is an ecumenical seminary situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India. It is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College .-Background:...
, in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, when death intervened.
Poet
Best known among his lyrics are En Meetpar Vuyirodirukayilay (என் மீட்பர் உயிரோடிருக்கயிலே), Senaigalin Kartharey (சேனைகளின் கர்த்தரே), Seerthiri Yegavasthey (சீர்திரி எகவச்தே நமோ நமோ), and Gunapadu Paavi (குணப்படு பாவி). He composed the college song Arulaar Putkarathil Thangi and designed the monogram for the Gurukul Lutheran Theological CollegeGurukul Lutheran Theological College
Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute is an ecumenical seminary situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India. It is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College .-Background:...
.
Incidentally, Vedanayagam Sastriar
Vedanayagam Sastriar
Vedanayagam Sastriar 1774 -1864 of Thanjavur, Poet-lyricist, Court poet in the palace of Serfoji II. He was a famous poet and writer with 133 books and over 500 lyrics to his credit.-Life:...
of Tanjore, Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai
Henry Alfred Krishnapillai
Henry Alfred Krishnapillai was a well known poet in Tamil language. He was born in a Hindu family, but later converted to Christianity. Even after his conversion, he retained his Hindu surname. He was an accomplished Tamil teacher and hence after his conversion sought to work on Tamil literary...
, and N. Samuel of Tranquebar were known as the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets.
One of his earliest compositions was about a journey to Tanjore called Thanjai Payan Padham. Another was Kallu Kummi, The Toddy Kummi, where the strong drink talks about her glories, which made the drunkard blush in shame. His book Gospel Lyrics contains 200 songs composed over a period of 60 years.
He has also put the following German hymns into Tamil meter:
-
- Gott sei Dank in aller Welt, Kartharukku Sthothiram (கர்த்தருக்கு ஸ்தோத்திரம்)
- O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden, Erathangaayam Kuth-thum (இரத்தம் காயம் குத்தும்)
- Nun freut euch, Gottes kinder all, Magizh Karthaavin Manthayae (மகிழ் கர்த்தாவின் மந்தையே)
- Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend Aa Yesuvae, Neer Yengalai (ஆ ஏசுவே , நீர் எங்களை)
- Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein Ende Naal Pome, Yen Saavu Velai (எந்த நாள் போம் , ஏன் சாவு வேளை)
- Laudamus te Ummai Thuthikirome (உம்மை துதிகிரோமே )
- Du, o schones Weltgebaude Veghuperuku-inbamaana (வெகுபெருக்கு இன்பமான )
Writer of books
Rev. N. Samuel wrote several books on LutheranLutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
history, theology, and practical Christian living. He wrote for children too. He wrote in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
. He also translated several books from German to Tamil.
Some of the books authored by him are:
-
- Thoopa Kalasam, Censer of Incense
- Thiru tiru virunthadi, Pocket Communion Book
- Ullathu Narpathu
- Pushpa Kodai
- Companion to the Village Preacher
- Life of Ziegenbalg
- Tranquebar Mission History
- Village Sermons Vol I Suvisesha Vaakiya Pirasanga Puthagam, Sermonic works on the Gospels
- Village Sermons Vol II Niruba Vaakiya Pirasanga Puthagam, Sermonic works on the Epistles
- Plain Talk of a Plain Christian
- The Pocket Prayer Book
- Martin Luther Sasthriyaar Viviya Sarithira Surukkam
- Yerusalem Nagar Alivu
- Yezhu Siru Vaarthaigal
- Christian Proverbs and Maxims--Naru Malarkothu
- Tharangai Mission Sarithiram (Styled after Fenger's History of the Tranquebar Mission)
- Orusandhinaal Dhyaanam, meditations for Lent with 40 meditations
- Ullathu Solvane
For theological students, he wrote:
-
- Samayosidha Vedha Vaakiya Kuripu, concordance
- Sathiya Vedhabayiram, an introduction to the Bible
- Thiruchabai Varusha Vivaram, Outlines of Church History
For children, he wrote:
-
- Children's Storybook, Paalar Poocharam
- Moral Tales, Kadhaa Malar Koodai, Basket of Flowers
- Children's Prayer book
For parents, he wrote:
-
- Petror Ozhukkam
His translations:
-
- Mey Manasthaabam kanneer, Translation of Heinrich Muller's Tears of Repentance, a booklet that is a good preparation for partaking in the Holy Communion.
He was one of those responsible for the translation of a revised version of the New Testament
Pastor
Most of his life was spent in Tranquebar, the little port town that welcomed missionaries like Bartholomaeus ZiegenbalgBartholomaeus Ziegenbalg
Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg was a member of the Lutheran clergy and the first Pietist missionary to India.-Early life:...
(and Heinrich Plütschau) sent by the king of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 1706 and Christian Friedrich Schwarz
Christian Friedrich Schwarz
Christian Friedrich Schwarz was a German Lutheran Protestant missionary to India, born on 8 October 1726 at Sonnenburg, in the electorate of Brandenburg, Prussia. Having learned Tamil to assist in a translation of the Bible into that language, he was led to form the intention of becoming a...
, sponsored at the time by the Danish Missionary Society in Copenhagen.
He was ordained on 31 October 1878 at Tranquebar, by senior J. M. N. Schwartz. From that moment on, he served as Pastor in the Lutheran Mission (later known as T.E.L.C.) until his death on 20 May 1927, except for a brief stint with the Missouri Mission towards the end of his life from 1921-1927. The towns/cities where he served are: Tranquebar 1880-1891 & 1897-1919, Karaikal 1897-1919, Manikramam 1919, Porayar 1917-1919, Bangalore 1921, and Madras.
He preached his last sermon on 1 May 1927 in the Lutheran Adikalanathar Church, Purasawalkam, Madras on John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
10:11-16.
Theologian
His theologyChristian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
was rooted in Lutheran Pietism
Pietism
Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism, lasting from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century and later. It proved to be very influential throughout Protestantism and Anabaptism, inspiring not only Anglican priest John Wesley to begin the Methodist movement, but also Alexander Mack to...
, a renewed form of the post-reformation Lutheranism that was held by theologians in Halle in the 16th century, such as August Hermann Francke
August Hermann Francke
August Hermann Francke was a German Lutheran churchman.-Biography:Born at the German city Lübeck, Francke was educated at the gymnasium in Gotha before he studied at the universities of Erfurt and Kiel - where he came under the influence of the pietist Christian Kortholt - and finally Leipzig...
, 1663-1727 and Philipp Jakob Spener
Philipp Jakob Spener
Philipp Jakob Spener was a German Christian theologian known as the "Father of Pietism."...
, 1635-1705.
Needless to say, he was well versed with the life, works, and teachings of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
He was a great lover of Spurgeon's
Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a large British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers"...
works, and possessed many of his books in his library. After reading John Ploughman's Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures, he wrote Ullathu Solvane. Rev. N. Samuel was known as Tamil Spurgeon, although it is not clear if he was thus known because of his strictness in doctrinal matters or because of his homiletic gifts. He was also familiar with Waltharian
C. F. W. Walther
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was the first President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and its most influential theologian...
views of Lutheranism. His allegiance was to God first and only then to his church. When it was time for the German missionaries to leave India, leaving the leadership on Indian shoulders, it was decided that the church would follow an Episcopal
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
form of church government. Rev. N. Samuel felt that this and other innovations that were introduced were not according to the Biblical model and protested. When he realised that change was inevitable, in the middle of 1921, he left T.E.L.C that he had served all his life, and joined the Missouri Mission
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
. He returned to the T.E.L.C. in 1927 shortly before his death.
External links
- Mention of N.Samuel's name in
- Monogram of Gurukul Lutheran Theologican College