Arthur Margoschis

This is the biography of a great servant of God who came to India from London in obedience to the call of God, forsaking all the comforts of his native land. His work was superb and outstanding, when compared to the present-day evangelical ministries. Though he was suffering from Asthma and had not enjoyed good health, yet he loved the people of India and had not chosen to go back to London. His live and ministry should serve as an eye-opener to those who are called to serve God in His vineyard in India and those nations where the preaching of the gospel is considered a risky job. Arthur Margoschis was born as the eighth son of the Margoshises of the village Lamington in England on 24^th December 1852. The seeds sown in his tender heart by his parents were “Love thy God. Love thy neighbor as thyself”. The good teachings of his God fearing parents were a great blessing to him. Margoschis had great love for God and thirst for lost souls even as a boy.

After Margoschis completed his graduation, he took up theological studies also. Then he joined the Government Surgery and Medical College of London and came out successfully. When he was preparing to write the examination for his post graduation, the event he eagerly awaited took place. Bishop Caldwell who was ministering in Idaiyankudi of Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu went on furlough to England and shared the needs of the people of Tirunelveli there. When he asked if there was any young man willing to over to India, Margoschis committed himself. His friends and relatives asked him not to be in a hurry and to complete his final year studies and get the degree of MRCS, LRCP. He answered, “This is not a job that I can do according to my own convenience.” He started immediately for India when he was 22 years old then.

Margoschis reached India in October 1875 and stayed with Caldwell for some time. The village Nazareth, then known as Saann Pathu was given to his charge. He met many challenges even in the beginning of his ministry during 1876. The continuous rain in the erstwhile state of Madras (now known as Tamil Nadu) resulted in the breaches of the ponds there. The river Tamparaparani flooded and there was great destruction. Houses were drowned. Margoschis extended necessary help to those who lost their houses and their belongings. He treated 5964 people who were victims of Cholera and fever.

The problems of the people of Tirunelveli did not stop there. The following year, there was a severe famine. Twenty-five percentage of the people died of starvation. When Margoschis, a man of short stature with a small beard, went round the village on his horseback doing relief work, the people praised God saying, “Jesus is good Good and He is God.”

He made a hatched roof shed for the children who lost their parents in floods and famine. Due to financial constraints, it was difficult for Margoschis to feed these children. Government also sent 80 children to his hostel to be cared by him. While thinking of closing the hostel, it was a big challenge thrown to him. Realizing that God spoke to his heart, “Bring up these children for My sake”, he continued to provide for them.

In the neighboring village Azhwar Thirunagar, a place where high-class people by caste “Vaishnavite” lived, gospel was preached to them. Twenty-six people accepted Jesus Christ. They underwent untold persecution in the hands of the people of their community. The enraged people planned to burn alive Monickam Pillai with his family. One day his house was set on fire. But the family of Monickam Pillai escaped unhurt. However, the following week, his house was again set on fire. When Monickam pillai’s mother and his son shouted, “Fire, Fire”, Monickam Pillai ventured into the inferno and rescued them.

In the same village, one Rangaiah Naidu accepted Jesus Christ. His relatives seized the property of Rangaiah Naidu, the new believer. His father shouted in anger with a sickle in his hand, “You, traitor, I will cut off your head at one stroke”. Rangaiah Naidu said boldly, “This poor man is willing to pay any price for his faith” and his father walked away. However, the male child of Rangaiah Naidu died of a disease within a week. The non-Christians mocked at him saying that that was divine retribution. But, Rangiah Naidu did not deny his faith.

As the ministry progressed, Madras Arya Samaj, a Hindu militant outfit, sent Hindu missionaries to Azhwar Thirunagar. Since their mission was not fulfilled, they returned to Madras/Chennai.

Margoschis preached in and round Nazareth on horseback. Churches were established in Pillaiyanmanai, Manalkuni, Muthalai Mozhi, Gurukkaattur, Thailapura, Udaiyarkulam, etc. In 1901, there were 1482 believers in Nazareth alone. In many places, the new believers pulled down the temples, took away the golden articles from these temples and gave the same towards expenses for church construction work. The Brahmin community opposed Margoschis tooth and nail. False charges were made against the new believers.

Margoschis started schools in many places. A Girls’ school he started in Nazareth is the first high school for girls in the South India. He also started a teachers’ training institute. As Margoschis was himself an Asthma patient, he started a 30-bed hospital at Nazareth in 1892, called Luke’s Hospital (Today it is a very big hospital with all modern equipments).

He started an Art Industrial School to give technical education to the hostel students. Weaving and carpentry were taught for boys and sewing and lace work were taught for girls. Margoschis sent the handicrafts of these children to an exhibition in London. With the help of these children, Margoschis planted neem and banyan trees on the roadsides. He conducted weddings of the girls of marriageable age himself in a grand manner, finding suitable bridegrooms for them. This man of God thus became a father and a grandfather even when he was 30 years old.

There are events that encouraged Margoschis as well. A small boy, namely Enamuthu, ran away from the hostel run by him. Margoschis searched for him for many days and found him. Later, he was ordained and his name was Rev. E. Joseph. Pitchai, a shepherd boy accepted Jesus Christ. When he went home from the hostel on vacation, his parents did not like his Christian songs and his new faith. They asked him to deny his faith. One day, while playing, he fell down from a tree and died. On the deathbed, he said in a feeble voice, “Give me baptism.” Margoschis gave him baptism. The villagers were sad that they had harassed this boy. On that day, nine persons from the shepherd community accepted Jesus Christ. The hostels and the schools run by him helped his evangelical work.

Often, sad events took place in the hostels. Often boys used to run away. Margoschis had also shed tears over disobedient children. Many children died of diseases.

Margoschis was strict in enforcing the church rules and regulations. He used to excommunicate those who did not respect the church rules but were involved in pagan practices. Various ministries like the journal banner of the Cross, Sangham offertory, Widow’s fund, Native Evangelists’ Team, Women’s Fellowship festival, Street prayer meeting, Procession in the streets singing hymns during Lent, Bajans, etc. were all introduced by Margoschis. All these ministries paved the way for the spiritual growth of the native believers who were earlier steeped in paganism.

Margoschis loved the children very much. When he went out on the horseback, they used to go with him sitting behind him. He formed the Nazareth Children’s Mission in 1903.

As the believers were afraid of death, because of the frequent deaths due to famine and Cholera, in order to edify their faith, he asked them to observe All Souls Day and All Saints day so that they could remember and honor the dead saints.

Postal and Telegraph office, Railway Station and lines, roads were the gifts the people of Nazareth received from Margoschis. He started a Thrift Fund society for disbursing loans on credit for the benefit of the poor people and if any one of its members died, help was given from that fund. For those who did not know about Life Insurance, this system was a great blessing.

In appreciation of the services rendered by Margoschis, Madras University conferred on him the title, “Fellow of the University of Madras.” People also praised him wholeheartedly as the “Father of Nazareth”.

The sincere servant of God entered into glory on 27^th April 1908. People shed tears lamenting that they had lost the chariot of Israel and horseman. The village once called Saan Pathu that had nothing but red soil, thorny trees and Palmyra tees had been blossomed to become Nazareth due to the tireless efforts and the sweat of Margoschis. Today, this town is known for its literacy and economic growth.

- Compiled by Job Anbalagan