Rev. N. SamuelofTranquebar (Tamil: ஞா.சாமுவேல்; 18 September 1850 – 20 May 1927) was a professor in divinity, pastor in the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (T.E.L.C.), and a hymnodist. He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.) Council.
Best known among his lyrics are "En Meetpar Uyirodirukayilay" (என் மீட்பர் உயிரோடிருக்கயிலே), "Senaigalin Kartharey" (சேனைகளின் கர்த்தரே), "Seerthiri Yegavasthey" (சீர்திரி ஏகவஸ்தே நமோ நமோ), and "Gunapadu Paavi" (குணப்படு பாவி). He composed the college song "Arulaar Putkarathil Thangi" and designed the monogram, for the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College.
One of his earliest compositions was about a journey to Tanjore called "Thanjai Payan Padham". Another was "Kallu Kummi" (The Toddy Kummi), where the strong drink talks about her glories, which made the drunkard blush in shame. His book Gospel Lyrics contains 200 songs composed over a period of 60 years.
He is remembered as a translator who put German hymns into Tamil meter,[2] including the following:
Gott sei Dank in aller Welt, "Kartharukku Sthothiram" (கர்த்தருக்கு ஸ்தோத்திரம்)
Rev. N. Samuel wrote several books[1]onLutheran history, theology, and practical Christian living. He also wrote for children. He wrote in both Tamil and German, and also translated several books from German to Tamil.
Among the books authored by him are:
Thoopa Kalasam, Censer of Incense
Thiru tiru virunthadi, Pocket Communion Book
Ullathu Narpathu
Pushpa Kodai
Companion to the Village Preacher
Life of Ziegenbalg
Tranquebar Mission History
Village Sermons Vol I Suvisesha Vaakiya Prasanga Puthagam, sermonic works on the Gospels
Village Sermons Vol II Niruba Vaakiya Prasanga Puthagam, sermonic works on the Epistles
Plain Talk of a Plain Christian
The Pocket Prayer Book
Martin Luther Sasthriyaar Viviya Sarithira Surukkam
Yerusalem Nagar Alivu
Yezhu Siru Vaarthaigal
Christian Proverbs and Maxims--Naru Malarkothu
Tharangai Mission Sarithiram (Styled after Fenger's History of the Tranquebar Mission)
Orusandhinaal Dhyaanam, meditations for Lent with 40 meditations
Ullathu Solvane
For theological students, he wrote:
Samayosidha Vedha Vaakiya Kuripu, concordance
Sathiya Vedhabayiram, an introduction to the Bible
Thiruchabai Varusha Vivaram, Outlines of Church History
For children, he wrote:
Children's storybook, Paalar Poocharam
Moral tales, Kadhaa Malar Koodai, Basket of Flowers
Children's prayer book
For parents, he wrote:
Petror Ozhukkam
His translations:
Mey Manasthaabam kanneer, translation of Heinrich Muller's Tears of Repentance, a booklet that is a good preparation for partaking in the Holy Communion.
He was one of those responsible for the translation of a revised version of the New Testament.
He was ordained on 31 October 1878 at Tranquebar, by senior J. M. N. Schwartz. From that moment on, he served as pastor in the Lutheran Mission (later known as T.E.L.C.) until his death on 20 May 1927, except for a brief stint with the Missouri Mission, towards the end of his life from 1921 to 1927. The towns and cities where he served are: Tranquebar (1880–1891 and 1897–1919), Karaikal (1897–1919), Manikramam (1919), Porayar (1917–1919), Bangalore (1921), and Madras.[3]
He preached his last sermon on 1st of May 1927, in the Lutheran Adaikalanathar Church, Purasawakam, Madras, on John 10:11–16.
He was a great lover of Spurgeon's works, and possessed many of his books in his library. After reading John Ploughman's Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures, he wrote Ullathu Solvayne. Samuel was known as Tamil Spurgeon, although it is not clear if he was known for his strictness in doctrinal matters or for his homiletic gifts. He was also familiar with Waltharian views of Lutheranism. His allegiance was to God first and only then to his church. When it was time for the German missionaries to leave India, leaving the leadership on Indian shoulders, it was decided that the church would follow an Episcopal form of church government. Rev. N. Samuel felt that this and other innovations that were introduced were not according to the Biblical model and protested. When he realised that change was inevitable, in the middle of 1921, he left the T.E.L.C that he had served all his life, and joined the Missouri Mission. He returned to the T.E.L.C. in 1927 shortly before his death.
