Lonappan Upadeshi

T.D. Lonappan or Thayil Lonappan Upadeshi was born as the son of staunch CMS Church followers Daniel and Achiamma who lived in Kunnamkulam. Born in 1867, he lived under the care of parents until he was transformed by the saving power of the gospel at the tender age of 18.

Leaving everything for the sake of the Lord who gave His life for him, he left his home and family and ventured out like Abraham at the call of the Almighty. The testimonies of his children and their spouses give us touching reminiscences as to how before his marriage to Aleyamma (sister of the well-known Sir. P. V. George) he explicitly stated that she would have no easy life with him as he did not have anything in this world except "this big black book" (The Bible)

Though the early phases of his work in the Lord's field has been lost to us due to the lack of written records, we get a detailed record of his life from 1905 onwards when he first came to Angamaly, his appointed mission field, through the autobiography of Sri. E. P. Varghese "Poorvakala Smaranakal".

In those days, a committee of gospel workers used to assemble to decide which worker would minister in which place and other modalities of bringing the good news out to the public. As per the decision of the committee, Lonappan Upadeshi was assigned to go to Angamaly (Kerala state) and start his work there with help of Sri. Abraham Nambi who had been engaged in the Lord's work in the same place for quite some time along with Mr. Taine, a servant of God from Europe.

Mr. V. Nagal, a Basel Mission worker from Germany and his co-workers had come to India at about this time with the objective of serving the people of Kerala by presenting to them the saving gospel of Jesus Christ in all its simplicity. Lonappan Upadeshi was one among his favourite Indian fellow-evangelists and a surviving photograph of Mr. Nagal with Lonappan Upadeshi on one side and another evangelist, Itoop Upadeshi on the other is a memorial to this relationship.

The gnawing doubt as to whether one was truly born again and hence eligible to be called the child of God was always there in minds of most first-generation Brethren believers of those times. Sri. E. P. Varghese confesses in his book that these doubts which ruled his mind in those early days of salvation was cleared by Lonappan Upadeshi's kind and clear assurances based upon the Scriptures.

Thus, Lonappan Upadeshi became E. P. Varghese's Spiritual mentor, and later he baptized him into the family of God. After being with Lonappan Upadeshi during his initial days of service in Angamaly, Sri. Abraham Nambi left the place leaving the responsibility of evangelizing the whole commercial town of Angamally in the former's hands.

Angamaly -- the place as described by the great poet K. V. Simon in his book 'Verpadu Sabhakalude Charithram" (History of the Brethren Assemblies, Malayalam language), was a place very difficult indeed to evangelize. The Seventh Day Adventists as well as the Pentecostal group had washed their off that place as it "a place mostly filled with people who were never in their senses after noon". A place of constant fights and communal clashes, as the name itself implies (a place of weapons).

To spread the gospel in such a place -- though essential -- was indeed a herculean task. Mr. Taine, being a European national, did not face many problems in the days he started work there as the local people feared and respected the White men, they being the rulers of India at that period of time. But once he left for his native land, Lonappan Upadeshi was left all alone to face the wrath of the people against the spread of the gospel.

The amount of hardships he had to face at their hands can be visualized by means of a few incidents which we propose to narrate for the the readers edification and the promotion of the gospel. Though Lonappan Upadeshi was quite tall and well built, one with unique physical characteristics, there were many an occasion when he was physically assaulted and even thrown to the ground by the anti social elements of Angamaly. Nevertheless, Upadeshi never retaliated in the same manner nor did he register a complaint with the authorities lest his persecutors be thrown behind bars. But the persecution did not cease there.

Once a group of ruffians, on the way back from a "palli perunal" (church festival), waylaid him on the road and asked him to preach to them. Suspecting something fishy by the strange looks on their faces, the Upadeshi told them that he would speak to them from the Word of God sometime later as he was a little tired after his long walk and badly in need of rest. They reacted instantaneously. Taking hold of him they formed a circle and began punching him, throwing him around with blows one to another as children pass a ball around. Not satisfied, they threw him to the ground and after all of them furiously stomping over him, left him him groaning on the ground.

Though the Upadeshi did not register any complaint with the authorities, the Government itself took up this case as an act of assault against an innocent citizen. In his judgment, the Judge commented that even while the Victim lay bleeding on the ground, his only act of retaliation was to get on his knees and pray that the Lord would forgive and bless those that hurt him, thus following in the steps of his Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

Another incident which makes us realize the enormity of the persecutions Lonappan Upadeshi had to undergo in Angamaly took place in the year 1919. It was common in those days that Christian funeral processions especially those of newly saved believers would get obstructed on the way as a company of anti-social elements would waylay them for several hours thus causing further agony to those who were already in deep grief on account of the loss of a dear one. In the month of February, Upadeshi had to undergo the pain of losing a child born to him and his wife merely a couple of months back. Although in sorrow both of them took hope in seeing the child again one day in heaven but something happened which changed their grief to a trauma.

The day after the funeral took place, and as the believers gathered together for Worship on Sunday morning the sight that met their eyes was a horrifying one -- the coffin containing the child's dead body had been exhumed from where it had been buried the previous day and placed on the side wall of the Upadeshi's house -- an act which no civilized person could believe !!!

Grief which had lessened in the hope of seeing the child in heaven raised its head once again and filled the Upadeshi's heart. The police came and later on under their supervision the child was reburied in the backyard of the Upadeshi's own house. This incident enabled the Upadeshi to lean all the more onto the shoulder of his Saviour Jesus Christ rather than question why such a thing happened in his life.

Probably many of us in the present generation might disown the Lord for things far less traumatic, but it must be noted is that all these difficulties and most trying situations could not stop him from spreading the Good News far and wide and thus laying an example of discipleship which those around him could watch and follow.

The Upadeshi followed the same characteristic dress code as Mr. Nagal and his co-workers followed. His typical attire consisted of a plain white "dhoti" which reached to a little above his ankles followed by a shirt and a high collared coat. His clothes were always immaculate as he always believed that one's clothes reflect one's character.

Since they were fully involved in the Lord's work, the Upadeshi's family were given a small sum by the local church monthly so as to meet their physical needs. The Upadeshi and his wife used this even this small amount of money wisely catering to the needs of their family and of those in need around them.

Sri. E. P. Varghese says in his earlier mentioned autobiography 'Poorvakala Smaranakal' that "with the the little they had, they lived happily and satisfied as if it were Onam (the harvest festival of Kerala) everyday". Accustomed to entertaining God's servants at home, the Upadeshi had to borrow rice and other provisions many a time to feed the Lord's servants who came for lunch and dinner but he was always very careful and particular to repay the same as soon as possible for he strongly believed that one who cannot give back should never borrow.

The Upadeshi preferred one-to-one ministry much more than being a Convention speaker. On market-days (which used to be important days for meeting people and also for social interaction), he never missed to opportunity to reach the market and share the gospel with them. If he found any interested in listening to him, he would go with that particular individual to that person's home and proclaim the good news to those that were in his home as well.

An interesting incident which throws light upon the Upadeshi knowledge of The Word is seen in his reply to Korudh Vaidhyan, a renowned scholar and master of Ayurvedic system of medicine. One day Korudh Vaidhyan came to Lonappan Upadeshi and told him that it was the ancient rishis who were responsible for all finding out all knowledge on ayurveda and that the Bible, which is supposed to be an all-inclusive revelation does not talk of such important issues at all. Without batting an eyelid, the Upadeshi told him that it was Solomon, the Wise Emperor of Israel, who first talked about the the uses of ayurveda, that is the use of plants and other vegetation for medicinal prepossess, as was revealed to him by the One and Only true God who made heaven and earth and all that is in it.

He then went on to read from the first book on Kings, Chapter 4, verse 33, which states that King Solomon spoke of trees from the huge cedar trees that are in Lebanon even unto the tiny hyssop that grew upon the walls. Upadeshi then turned to Korudh Vaidhyan and asked him whether there was any plant in ayurveda which does not fit into this category. Silenced at last, the Vaidhyan went away this new knowledge fretting at his own folly. Later on this very same man hearkened unto the voice of the gospel and came over to the Lord's side.

A little detail about his wife and five children is necessary in understanding the private life of this great man of God. His wife, Aleyamma, was a constant companion to him both in the joys and sorrows of his life. A woman given to hospitality, she took care of things at home and catered to the needs of her many guests at all times in spite of their meager finances. The Upadeshi and his wife were blessed with 5 children, 4 sons (John, George, Daniel and Samuel) and the youngest, a daughter named Annamma.

His principle in disciplining his children was based upon Holy Spirit's advice to fathers found in the Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 4. Its amusing to note that before he punished his kids he made it a point to make them tell him what mischief they had committed and what punishment needed to be meted out upon them.

Throughout his life, Lonappan Upadeshi remained committed to the cause he willingly undertook for his Master. Through it all the church and all its activities grew in the face of persecutions reminding us of the Church in Smryna, which St. John talks about in his book of the Revalation.

Finally there came a day when the Upadeshi and his family, the youngest baby at that time being only 11 days old, was chased out of Angamaly by the enemies of the gospel. This did not frighten the Upadeshi off, and he realized that now there was a strong group of believers, a church fully equipped to fight its own battle sans his help and constant care. He then decided to go on to an other places and begin afresh making disciples for the Lord as his Master commanded.

Thus, the church at Angamaly gathered together, prayed, blessed and sent Lonappan Upadeshi and another servant of God, Sri. Edasherrimala C. T. Mathai to Perumbavoor, a place about 15 kilometers from Angamaly to begin the Lord's Work there. Unfortunately due to the lack of written records on his activities in Perumbavoor, a detailed study of his work there cannot be provided at this stage (Brethren Archives is working on this project) but for the glory of God, it can said that there also he laboured tirelessly along with Bro. C.T. Mathai and very soon an Assembly Testimony was formed there.

His age advancing and strength fading, Lonappan Upadeshi spent the last days of his life with his youngest son Sri. Samuel Thayil in Perumbavoor. After the death of his dear wife Aleyamma (who was promoted to glory six years prior to Upadeshi's demise) he was lovingly taken care of by Mrs. Ammini Samuel, wife of Samuel Thayil. Among his children, his sons Mr. T. L. George and Mr. T. L. Samuel and his only daughter Mrs. Annamma Samuel survive to this day (June 2001) with the happy memories of their beloved father lighting up their lives. His son-in-law, Mr.C. V. Samuel was a dear servant of God who also shone in the Lord's service all his life from the time he got saved. Today he too rests with our dear Upadeshi in the Lord's presence.

He lived a 100 years and though in the last days he had many an illness he did not suffer much and on the 18th of April 1967 while having his meal the spoon slipped of his hands and nodding sideways he leaned on his daughter-in-law Ammini who was serving him and breathed his last.