Tamil David

V. D. David, popularly known as Tamil David, he was one of the greatest evangelists that India has seen. He was born in the Southern district of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu in the year 1853. His Parents were Christians in the Anglican church. When he was only two years old his father died, but his godly mother educated him in the Mission School and endeavored to bring him up in the ways of the Lord. However young David was more interested in having a fine time rather than undergo discipline a nd studies. He became a trouble to the teachers, was dishonest and disobedient. Finally he left school and went to Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka he first took up a teaching job., Later he left teaching and joined a liquor shop where he made more money lawfully, or otherwise. During this time he led a life of sin. Finally his mother went to seek for him, located him, and brought him back to Tirunelveli. After this he became a worker in the mission. He talked to the people about salvation but they did not believe him as they found no change in his own life.

David married a godly young woman named Mary. Within hours after their marriage Mary gave David a tract which annoyed him much! She knew he was not a born-again Christian and earnestly prayed for him. Her prayers and his mother's prayers were answered. when the Lord spoke to David's heart through His word and he found light and peace. After this he waited on the Lord for power in his service and the prayer was abundantly answered. When he began preaching with power, he was given up by his church people, but the Lord gave him souls through preaching the gospel. Many in his church saw the change in David's life and they believed the word preached and were saved. His ministry then began expanding to fields far away from his native place.

In his first visit to Travancore in 1895 over 10,000 persons, men and women, young and old came to know the Lord as their Saviour. Many who heard the messages, or who even saw him preaching, were convicted of their sin and with tears; they confessed their sins and sought pardon and peace. It was a time of visitation from the Lord.

Soon after this missionaries like Gregson and Handley Bird came and taught New Testament truths concerning Baptism and separation from the unsaved nominal Christians. Mr. David along with William Stanes visited Travancore many times and many came to know the Lord through his ministry. He had a timely word for everyone. He preached the word, not stories -- nor himself. He was full of the Word and knew so much of the Bible by heart.

David's preaching was not confined to South India. He went to many countries and all the continents. In Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, America, U.K., Italy, Africa, and Australia he preached with power and blessing and many were brought to the Lord. He worked together with the well known revivalist D. L. Moody of America. Also he preached more than once at the famous Keswick convention.

The revival under Mr. David's ministry brought about a greater interest in the Word of God and in scripture-based preaching it in the denominational churches in Travancore (South India). Many came to know the truth of believer's baptism and separation. In this way he played a most important role in the beginning of New Testament Pattern Assemblies in Kerala and other parts of South India.

This valiant soldier of the cross entered his eternal home in Nov. 1923. Very little material or photographs survive about him. But what is available is enough to convince historians that he was one of the "fathers" of the assembly movement in Kerala and South India.