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THE SECOND QUARTER-CENTURY (1921 A. D. -1945 A. D.) The division of the life-span of the Convention
into quarter century spells for the purpose of narrating its development
appears quite convenient and significant. Rev. P. J. Thomas who has written
a brief history of the Convention in its Platinum Jubilee Souvenir says
that each period has its own importance and distinctiveness. He thinks
that while in the first twenty five years the Convention passed its childhood
and adolescence, in the second quarter it entered on its vivacious youth.
This period is replete with various activities of expansion and development.
BISHOP ABRAHAM MAR THOMA. Perhaps the most significant voice of this period was that of Bishop
AbrahamMar Thoma whose emergence has been indicated in the previous pages.
He was a powerful speaker. The messages delivered in his stentorian voice
were heard with rapt attention by the congregation. He believed that evangelization
was the first duty of the Christian Church and he did his best to organize
the Mar Thoma Church to undertake this task. His Grace the Most Rev. Titus
II, Metropolitan used to preside over the meetings with paternal care and
attention. The consecration of two more Bishops- viz., Juhanon Mar Timotheos
(afterward Metropolitan) and Mathews Mar Athanasius (since deceased) took place in
this period. The presence of four Bishops of the Church in their colorful
vestments on the dais was as interesting to the unspiritual multitude as
were their messages to the faithful who came for spiritual enlightenment.
It was in this period that the inclusion of Bishops of the Church in the
panel of Convention speakers became an established practice.
DR. STANLEY JONES. The principal speaker of this period was Dr. Stanley Jones. It is difficult
to describe him and his services in words. He was not only a man and a
missionary, but was an institution. He loved India as much as he loved
his mother country, (U. S. A.). For the greater part of this adult life
he used to spend six months every year in India and six months in America.
When he came to Kerala during the Convention period he would address meetings
from Trivandrum in the south to Ernakulam and farther north. He would speak
to intellectuals, students, workers with equal facility and favor. His words were listened to with attention
and respect and many people from various walks of life came to the Lord
through his ministry. A whole page is far too small to record his many sided resplendent Christian work. For want
of space we are compelled to refer to him in just a few words. Dr. Jones
addressed Convention meetings almost every year during this period. In
addition, he used to take Bible Classes, address public meetings: for non-
Christians and organize various schemes of Christian activity. He has made
liberal contributions to several schemes and institutions started by the
church. But more than that, his ministry through the Convention and his
prayers were the greatest gifts which the Church received from and through
him. Though he addressed Convention meetings for five decades he was perhaps
at his best during this period. The Mar Thoma Church had a special place
in his heart. We have to refer to him in succeeding pages as well. It is
seen from the Annual report of the Association for 1921 that the Rev. H.
A. Pop]y who had become a friend of the Mar Thoma Church succeeded in finding
some speakers for the Convention. He himself addressed Convention meetings
in several years.
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