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XCMS - Church Mission Society archive - 1799-2009
B - Overseas Division (initially 'Foreign Division') 1799-1959 - 1803-1959
OMS - Overseas mission series - 1803-1934
I2 - South India Mission - 1815-1934
C E - Early Correspondence - 1815-1820
E3 - Correspondence, journals and papers: 9 May 1818 - 5 February 1820 - 1818-1820
Level
Item
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)
CMS/B/OMS/C I2 E3/30
Title
Letter from Rhenius to Pratt: 20 October 1818: Madras
Extent
1 doc.
Date
1818
Description
Acknowledges letter of 27 Nov 1817; considers formation of a Tamil congregation a matter to be decided by the missionary and not something to be left to the discretion of others; would have consulted the committee had they not from the first shown "a tone of command and superiority"; understands committee have complained about his expenditure and his style in writing to them;
1) Fixed salary was not sufficient for Madras; committee had not appriciated need for suitable clothing, and for conveyance allowance; but all unnecessary expenses have been avoided; for school expenditure had asked committee to allow missionary discretion for deciding necessary routine expenses; it is impossible to obtain their prior sanction for all expenditure
2) Denies that his letters to the committee are "commanding" in style; he has been misunderstood having treated committee as friends and fellow-workers; committee appear to expect the relationship to be that of master and servant; committee cannot be as cognisant of particular mission affairs as the missionaries but because they provide the financial support they treat the missionary as a mere "artificer"; fears that if committee continue not to trust the missionaries the work will falter; discusses differences over publication of tracts if committee are to be in control rather than the missionaries.
Access Status
Open
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