History of the Oxford Mission to Calcutta

George Longridge’s original history of the Oxford Mission to Calcutta was revised and abridged by W.H. Hutton [1860-1930] for the 2nd edition in 1910. My thanks to Redcliffe College for providing me with a copy of the book to scan. This title is now in the public domain.

George Longridge [1857-1936], A History of the Oxford Mission to Calcutta, 2nd rev. edn. Oxford: A.R. Mowbray, 1910. Hbk. pp.222. [Click to download complete book in PDF]

Origin of the Mission (1879-1885)
Troubled Times {1886-1889)
The Schools and the Sundereans
The New Mission House
The Calcutta University
The Industrial School and Visits to Patna
The Barisal Missions
Annus Infaustus
Converts
1896-1908
Hinduism As It Is

From the Introductory Note

The Oxford Mission is laying a sure foundation, and its members are working with all their hearts and all their strength. It is a work hard, dis-appointing-but certainly it is not disheartening. Of the many hearers there are as yet few indeed who become Christians; but I cannot forbear to quote some words of the Superior of the Com-munity-words which, little though I know of India, I know enough to feel certain are true:- “There remain the few to whom the Word of GOD comes home, as it has always come home to guileless souls. One by one they turn their faces towards the light, and by a longer or a shorter journey they eventually reach it. These few genuine and true converts are the real hope of India. Their influence and their numbers are steadily increasing-their influence more rapidly than their numbers.

It is for us to watch over their growth with the tenderest care, to do all we can for them by helping them when they are in need, and by standing aside when they no longer want us. If we missionaries have the wisdom to guide them rightly now with our LORD’S own combination of helpfulness and reserve, we shall see, or our successors will see, a bold, independent, aggressive, native Christian Church, strong enough to do its own work of the conversion of India, strong in prayer, strong in charity, and, above all things, in character-winning, by its own inherent beauty, the love and admiration of all except those who really love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.” In this lies the promise of the Epiphany which is still to come in India. [Continue reading]