HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN SOUTHERN MANIPUR

The
Birth of American Missions was the roots of surveys and the foundation
begins from our research. Samuel. J Mills, the founder of American
missions or English Missions heard the call to preach the gospel to all
nations while he was plow on his field in Connecticut
one day in 1802. There he kindled a fire whose spark's was destined to
be carried to the ends of the earth. Samuel. J. Mills may be the termed
and counterparts of William Carrey in England.
And now the famous "Haystack Prayer meeting at Williamstown was the
birth place of modern American missions just as the Kettering Assembly
was of  English Missions11. (A) Political and Religious condition:  The political and religion conditional during the 18th and beginning part of 19th centuries,
India
was under British control. The British regarded the only political
affairs but never concerned about religion matters. Politically North
east was under the control of Assam
governor under British Administration. Religiously they were animistic,
the practice of slavery and fears of evil spirit and sacrifices were
famous practices among the communities12. (B) Arrivals of Foreign missionaries:
During the year 1892, The welsh Calvinistic Methodist took Mizoram as
mission field, even before they had been established mission field at
Khasi hills. Apart of this, the American Baptist Missions were also
took mission field as NE. India, especially under William Carrey or
Serampore college, various numbers of missionaries was arrived Khasi  Hills,
Assam, Mizoram and Manipur. The Arthington Aborigines Mission also well
known mission in the History of Christian mission in Manipur especially
southern part of the states13. (C) Missionaries and Division of works:
Rev. Williams (1859-1892) known as the first missionary of Mizoram.
During the year 1887 he was ordained for foreign Missionary. During the
last year of November 1887, he reach Shillong and the welsh Missions
appointed him Superintendent at shella Division, Khasi Hills. He
enquired and recommended; so the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist General
Missions accepted "Mizoram as Mission field" in the
year 1892.Under Arthington Missions,J.H Lorraine and Savidge Lorain
came Mizoram maketh Mizo Alphabet and not only even Paite also with
Vialphung.The American Baptist Missionary William Pettigrew was working
at Ukhrul district where  he became Pioneer Mission to Tangkhul Tribes. Other Missionaries like David E.Jones, Dr. Peter Fraser was different kinds of
ministries in Mizoram mission field14. (D) Good news for southern Manipur:  "Who
served the Lushai with entiring Devotion to their Physical, Social, and
Spiritual welfare was", Dr Peter Fraser. He is not only Medical
missionary but also who Abolished slavery practiced in Mizoram (1911).
In the year 1907, Keswick convention fellowship Robert was impressed by
the preachers who say the need of missionary in India, and the following years voluntarily he came to Mizoram with Fraser on 9Dec, 1908.       Robert
got 5 pounds gift from welsh Government official and he bought the book
of gospel John 103 Copies, translated by J.H Lorain in Mizo language
and distributed to all chief of the villages in Mizoram. A copy of the
book was received by Pu. Kamkholun chief of Senvon village which was
located Southern- end of Manipur. He invited the Missionaries to come
over there and explain the matters. It has been closely connected with
Macedonian calls (Acts 16:9-10).When Roberts heard the calls, He
accepted as Gods using a tract. While Lungpau and Thangkai heard the
missionaries of Mizoram were freely supporting Education, before hand
they departed from Manipur and arrived Fraser house the same night
itself with their "PALBAWM" (Like basket), two of are warmly welcomed
and wash their feet by Robert and they agree to travel and guide Robert
until they reach senvon, Manipur. (E) Missionary day
7th May 1910: In the Southern part of Manipur, the 7th
May in every year observed as, "Missionary day" as the day Lungpau and
Thangkai gave their name for Christian, as they are the first two
Christian among Southern Manipur.
The missionaries were warmly welcomed and mess by the Chiefs of village
in Manipur like, "Parvachom, Patpuimun, Sartuinek, and chief of Senvon
Pu. Kamkholun. The missionaries spread the good news and distributed
posters of Jesus. It becomes the foundation and planted the seeds of
gospel to the Southern part of Manipur. We praise God for the one who
brought good news and planted the seeds of gospel and changed Animistic
into Christianity. (Rom 10:15) 15.
END NOTES   1.      John.R.Stott: you can tell the World, 1999.pp.20-32.   2.      Jamkhanthang, V: Kross Sepaih Hangsante, 2000.pp.18-246.   3.      Thangkholal, S: Houbung Kalsuon, 2000, pp.1-9.   4.      Robert Hall Glover: the progress of Worldwide Mission, 1960.  Pp.11-17.   5.      Ibid., pp.19-23.   6.      Ibid., pp.24-31.   7.      Ibid., pp.32-45.   8.    
Luaichinthang: A: A History of the evangelical Baptist convention Church, 2000.pp.11-12.   9.      Edward.R.Dayton: Planning Strategies for Evangelization, 1980. Pp.1-189.   10.  Cully.Paul.G: The missionary Enterprise, 1974.pp.10-150.   11.  Infimate Savung: Amazing Guidance, ICI; Diamond jubilee issued Pp.1-37.   12.  Khupkhothang: Chanchinpha vak hunpolut masate, 1992.pp.1-30.   13.  Zairema: god's Miracle in Mizoram, 1978.pp.12-24.   14.  Singh.K.M: history of Christian missions in Manipur and other Neighboring States, 1991.pp.1-240.   15.  Khamkam, G: Evangelical Baptist Convention Tangthu, 1986. Pp.1-75.