Schwartz of Tanjore

by Jesse Page

One of the difficulties which exercised his mind especially at this time was the question of caste and here again his far sighted policy endeavoured to bring the people together, especially in divine worship. One day while waiting to see the Rajah a Brahmin challenged him, “Mr. Schwartz, do you not think it a very bad thing to touch a Pariah?” “O yes,” he replied, “a very bad thing.” The Brahmin saw that something more was meant by his answer, so he said, “But, Mr. Schwartz, what do you mean by a Pariah?” “I mean,” was the rejoinder, “a thief, a liar, a slanderer, a drunkard, an adulterer, a proud man.” “O then,” said the Brahmin hastily, “we are all Pariahs!”

Meanwhile the new Rajah of Tanjore was causing increased trouble; history was repeating itself, for he had appointed an unscrupulous man as his sirkeel who also simply exacted bribes and corrupted justice. Schwartz promptly reported this state of things to the Government at Madras and it was decided to administer the state with the help of Schwartz and Mr. Petrie, a commissioner. This led to a strong remonstrance against the confinement of the boy Serfogee in what was equal to a prison and the neglect and unkind treatment he received. There was little doubt that Ameer Sing, who had taken such solemn pledges to protect and care for him, had intended to hide him away and if possible get rid of him. It was a moment of peril for the boy and demanded instant action. Schwartz, with an English gentleman, went to the palace, asked for Serfogee and taking him by the hand told him to follow. The Rajah, alarmed, implored that the boy should not be removed, promising that he should be well cared for. Schwartz consented, but slept by the boy all night and never left him until twelve sepoys of the 23rd Regiment were set to guard. Schwartz afterwards wrote a long report to the Council at Madras, narrating the corrupt condition of the Rajah’s government and that it was imperative that the boy should be placed in more security, be properly educated and provided for. Not only so, but Schwartz prepared and submitted a clear and most able plan for the administration of justice in Tanjore. This long and statesmanlike document is a proof of his remarkable knowledge and experience of the needs of the people. “It is acknowledged,” he writes, “that the administration of justice is the basis of the true welfare of a country.”

But this excellent reform, while appreciated by the Government at Madras, did not find equal favour at the court of Tanjore. The Rajah, dissipated, diseased and weak minded, was more and more in the hands of the rapacious intriguing people around him, nominally his servants but really his masters.

In the meantime Schwartz pursued his work in spite of many hindrances, opening fresh schools and utilizing the native catechists. One of these was ordained at this time, Sattianaden, a man of high character and some talents. Schwartz, writing of his qualifications for the work of a minister, gives him high praise, “His whole deportment evinces clearly the integrity of his heart. His humble, disinterested and believing walk has been made so evident to me and others that I may say with truth I have never met with his equal among the natives in this country. His love to Christ and his desire to be useful to his countrymen are quite apparent. His gifts in preaching afford universal satisfaction. His love to the poor is extraordinary.”

The ordination of Sattianaden was a step of much importance, for it inaugurated a new era of utilizing native help in the Indian mission field. His sermon was considered by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge to be worthy of publication and he was also much cheered by a very kind letter the secretary sent him with the good wishes of the Society for the success of his ministry. In a letter to Mr. Jaenické, his fellow worker at Palamcotta, Sattianaden makes a grateful and affectionate reference to Schwartz.

“When I contemplate the ways of God by which He led me I am full of admiration and praise. I was once a heathen, who did not know Him and He called me by His faithful servant Mr. Schwartz. This, my venerable father, received and instructed me. His exertions by day and night tended to bring me to repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, to produce in me fruits meet for repentance, to induce me to lead a Godly and holy life and to grow in knowledge and in every grace and virtue. He did not destine me to worldly concerns but appointed me to bring my nation to the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He sent to redeem the world.”

Meanwhile the work at Tanjore progressed. Schwartz mentions with thankfulness that in the year when he attained the age of sixty-five no less than eighty-seven heathen had been baptized and that he had heartily welcomed the new missionary Mr. Caemmerer at Tranquebar, who had begun well. This new comer, writing home, speaks of the anticipation he felt of meeting Schwartz and how his heart was kindled when that hope was realized. His letters contain a few pictures of the old veteran. “Sincere esteem and reverence penetrated my soul when I saw this worthy man with his snow white hair. Integrity and truth beamed in his eyes. He embraced me and thanked God that He had lead me to this country.... Nothing could possibly afford me more lively satisfaction than the society of Mr. Schwartz. His unfeigned piety, his real and conscientious attention to every branch of his duties, his sincerity—in short, his whole demeanour fills me with reverence and admiration. He treated me like a brother or rather like a tender parent and instructed me in the most agreeable manner in the Malabar language.... Many an evening passed away as if it had been but a single moment, so exceedingly interesting proved the conversation of this truly venerable man and his relations of the singular and merciful guidance of God, of which he had experienced so many proofs throughout his life, but particularly during the dreadful wars of India. The account he gave of the many dangers to which his life had been exposed and the wonderful manner in which it was often preserved, his tender and grateful affection towards God, his fervent prayers and thanksgivings, his gentle exhortations constantly to live as in the presence of God, zealously to preach the Gospel and entirely to resign ourselves to God’s kind providence—all this brought many a tear into my eyes and I could not but ardently wish that I might one day resemble Schwartz. His disinterestedness, his honourable manner of conducting public business, procured him the general esteem both of Europeans and Hindus. Every one loved and respected him, from the King of Tanjore to the humblest native.

“Nor was he less feared, for he reproved them without respect to situation and rank when their conduct deserved condemnation, and he told all persons, without distinction, what they ought to do and what to avoid, to promote their temporal and eternal welfare. The King frequently observed that in this world much was affected by presents and gold, and he himself had done much by these means, but that with Padre Schwartz they answered no purpose.... His garden is filled from morning till late in the evening with natives of every rank who come to him to have their differences settled, but rather than his missionary duties should be neglected the most important cases were delayed.

“Both morning and evening he has a service at which many of the Christians attend. A short hymn is first sung, after which he gives an exhortation on some passage of Scripture and concludes with a prayer. Till this is over, everyone, even the most respectable, is obliged to wait. The number of those who come to him to be instructed in Christianity is great. Every day individuals attend, requesting his Society to establish a Christian congregation in their part of the country.

“During my stay, about thirty persons, who had previously been instructed, were baptized. He always performs the service with such solemnity that all present are moved to tears. He has certainly received from God a most peculiar gift of teaching the truths of religion. Heathens of the highest rank, who never intend to become worshippers of the true God and disciples of Jesus Christ, hear his instructions with pleasure. During an abode of more than forty years in this country, he has acquired a profound knowledge of the customs, manners and character of the people. He expresses himself in the Tamil language as correctly as a native. He can immediately reply to any question and refutes objections so well that the people acknowledge ‘We can lay nothing to the charge of this priest.’”