Kerala Brethren - in Depth - 1897 - God Uses J.G. Gregson & Volbrecht Nagel

God Uses J.G. Gregson & Volbrecht Nagel

In 1897, Gregson was a speaker in the world renowned “Maramon Convention.” He also took various sessions among the priests and laymen within the MarThoma Church. Many received assurance of salvation as a result of his preaching. Water baptism was also brought in as a subject in his classes. Following these sessions, some of the priests and laymen had decided to take water baptism.

These developments attracted fury of the Church leaders against Gregson and they barred him from ministering in the Marthoma Church.

After Gregson's arrival, missionaries Mr. Edward H. Noel & Mr. Volbrecht Nagal (who composed the popular Christian song ‘Samayam Radhathil Ngaan Swarga Yaathra Cheyyunnu,,,”) and later Mr. J. M. Davis followed their missionary footsteps in India.

During this period, Volbrecht Nagel, an impactful German missionary who worked for the Basal Mission in India, studied Scripture thoroughly and accepted the Brethren doctrines and practices. One of the earliest instances of the Holy Supper according to the New Testament pattern was conducted in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur under the leadership of Nagel.

Nagel wrote many songs and hymns in Malayalam that are sung even today by many Malayalee Christian denominations.

A few of the hymns in Malayalam and their translations in English are given below Volbrecht Nagel:

• Snehathin Idayanam Yesuway; Wazhium sathyaum nee mathremay ... (Jesus the loving shepherd, you are the only way, and the truth …) – Belief.
• Ninnodu Praarthyppan Priya Pithaway ... (Our dear father we are coming for prayer ... ) – Prayer song.
• Jayam jayam Kollum Naam, Jayam Kollum Naam ... ( Victorious, victorious we will be victorious ... ) – Victory song.
• Deivathinte æka putren paapikale rakshippan ... (God's only son, died on the cross to save the sinners) – Christ's passion and death
• Maranam jayicha veera ... (Hero, that won over death ...) – Resurrection.
• Yesu varum vegathil – Aswaasamay ... (Jesus will be coming soon ... ) – Second Coming.
• Ente Jeevanam Yesuway ... (Jesus my life ... ) – Comfort.
• Samayamam rathathil njaan swerga yathra cheyyunnu ... (In the chariot of time I am on my homeward journey ...) – It's not a funeral song though no funeral procession is complete without singing this hymn.

Nagel's English Hymm to Malayalam translations include -

• Papakadam theerkuvan ... (What Can Wash Away My Sins) by Robert Lowry
• Yeshu enn swanatham, Hallelujah ... (Blessed Assurance) by Fanny Crosby
• Yeshuvin thirupadathil irunnu kelka naam ... (Sing them Over Again To Me) by P.P. Bliss
• Kristhuvinte daanam ethra maduram ... (Like a River Glorious)

Nagel came to Travancore and took Bible classes. He preached on the subject of "dying with Christ" and "crucifying the flesh". The combined ministry of Nagel and Gregson would have an influential impact on a young P. C. John, Marthomite who would turn his life over to Jesus Christ and with his cousin, Reverend P.E. Mammen whose conversions would make a substantive impact on the early Kerala Brethren Movement.

The impact of the gospel in Kerala was making a difference and disrupting the established order. Soon young believers were warned by their churches and families to either renounce their newfound faith or face expulsion from the church, the family, and even the town. In those days once thrown out of one's house there was practically no dwelling place available in one's own town. Many were thrown out, others were beaten and abused mercilessly, and still others were mocked in inhumane ways. The young Marthomite, P. C. John, found himself caught in an altercation with his Achan at the Parish in Kumbanad. The young man had been willing to openly disagree with the priest's preaching and found himself being physically manhandled by the priest. As his cousin Reverend P.E. Mammen heard about this, he called John and they spent a long time in prayer together. This incident encouraged many to leave of the Episcopal churches.