The Salvation Army in Mizoram; India Eastern Territory 107 Anniversary

The Salvation Army invaded India:

Down the ages India has been the target for invasions: the Persians, Greeks, Parthians, Bactrians, Scythians, Huns, Turks and Arabs, but never was there a more bizarre invasion than the one which took place on 19 September 1882. An army of four making its way to Bombay on the P & O SS Ancona, Major Frederick de Lautour Tucker, Captain Henry Bullard, Lieutenants Arthur Norman and Mary Ann Thompson. Other armies had come to conquer, this Army came to serve, but the English and vernacular newspapers had it that ‘The Salvation Army was attacking India!’

When they started out from London there were six of them, but it was found necessary for Mrs Louisa Tucker to accompany one young woman-officer back to England for personal reasons and they disembarked at Port Said, Mrs Tucker sailing again for India on the next available ship.

The authorities in India, being unfamiliar with The Salvation Army’s military jargon, visualized the landing of a formidable force which might cause communal riots resulting in violence and bloodshed, consequently the Bombay police were lined up on the quayside at Apollo Bunder for the Army’s arrival.

After the four had stepped ashore the superintendent of police approached them asking, ‘When will the rest of your army land?’ Major Tucker replied, ‘We are the whole Army,’ at which the police officer in evident amazement and, one may assume, with a grin, said, ‘We were expecting you to arrive 1,000 strong!’

Major Tucker knew that strength lay not in numbers, and in high spirits he and his little band started marching down the crowded streets of Bombay. Carrying the Army banner he was followed by Captain Bullard playing the cornet, Lieutenant Norman beating the drum and Mary Thompson jingling a tambourine. No wonder they caused a stir! Never before had the proud Britons been seen on the streets of India in such a guise. Not only was the music a novelty, but the party was dressed in a blend of Indian-European dress. The men wore turbans with a red band on which Muktifauj (The Salvation Army) was inscribed, long yellow coats similar in cut to the Indian achkhan and white trousers. Mary Ann Thompson, brave woman, wore a yellow dress set off by a hat with the Salvation Army band of red ribbon. All four wore boots .

A procession with drum and trumpet was no unusual sight to the people of Bombay. Processions of all kinds, wedding, funeral and religious were part of the daily street scene. It was the contrast between the dress and the white skin which caused curiosity. If it had been Tucker’s intention to arouse interest he certainly succeeded, but the ‘uniform’ had a more important aim. It was an attempt to identify the Salvation Army missionary officers with the people of India, the yellow colour being used by India’s ‘holy men’.

Major Frederick de Lautour Tucker fondly known as Fakir Singh was born in Monghyr, Bengal on 21st March 1853. After he finished his education, he joined Indian Civil Service and was appointed as Assistant Commissioner and Magistrate. In 1875, he attended one of Dr.D.L.Moody campaign in the Agriculture Hall which was a beginning in his spiritual life. Finney’s writing helped him in Holiness living, and helps him receive perfect salvation.

While he was serving in the Indian Civil Service as Assistant Commissioner and Magistrate, he gave donation to the Salvation Army. He receives a receipt along with War Cry December 1880 issue. An article ‘Go and tell’ written by William Booth about how God sent Prophet Nathan to King David was published. The writings deeply touched his heart and secretly commit him to do missionary work. He took one of his clerks and start preaching the Gospel in the open street. 

He resigned from his job to become an officer in the Salvation Army and left for England to meet William Booth. After he finished his training, he was commissioned in 1881 and was given a Major rank. Before his return to India, William Booth told Booth Tucker to go and get into the skin of Indians. He dressed like the Sadhu and preaches the word of God.

He has to pass through trials and tribulations while he works in India and was even put to Jail. While he was put in a cell, he said, ‘My stay in Jail was a time of rich spiritual refreshment’. The judge told him that if he will make a promise that he will stop his Ministry he will be set free. But he answered that even if they were to hang him, he will not make such a promise.

The Founder of The Salvation Army, when sending out his very first missionary force to India had instructed them:

With the apostle, to become all things to all men, in order that you may win them to your Master. This must mean, if anything at all, that to the Indians you must be Indians.

‘The Army did not spread abroad by the determination of its leaders,’ wrote St John Ervine, ‘it spread by the force of its own energy and strength.’ General Frederick Coutts adds in No Discharge in this War: ‘The notion of William Booth as a religious Alexander sighing for fresh worlds to conquer is as wide of the mark as can be. New shoots began to grow in unexpected places seemingly of their own accord. The wind blew where it listed.’ And the wind of the Spirit blew also over India.

The Salvation Army in India is registered as a Guarantee Company under the Indian Companies Act 1913 having a National Secretariat at Kolkota. The Salvation Army Association is chaired by the International Secretary, South Asia Zone with the National Secretary as secretary. It is divided into six territories expanding the length and breadth of India.

In addition to evangelistic work, various social programmes were inaugurated for the relief of distress from famine, flood and epidemic. Educational facilities such as elementary, secondary, higher secondary and industrial schools, cottage industries and settlements were provided for the disadvantaged classes. Medical work originated in Nagercoil in 1895 and work among the then Criminal Tribes began in 1908 at government invitation.

The Salvation Army landed in Lushai Hills (Mizoram)

Back in the early twentieth century Kawlkhuma and a few close associates started a movement in their own peculiar fashion which resembles The Salvation Army. Mr Kawlkhuma was a God fearing man who zealously proclaimed the Good News, he found a true friendship in Mr. Chalchhuna and together they undertook the ministry of witnessing to others as much as they could. They believe they could form a group of ‘True Believers’. They have a kind of uniform army-green colored shirt having 2 pockets in the breast with red trimmings. They abstain from all intoxicants and tobaccos; they will not wear any trinkets. They uphold simple dress and purity. Kawlkhuma used to say to his friends, ‘wherever we maybe, through our behavior and action people should know we are true believers’.

It was the year 1915, Mr Dohnuna and Mr. Leta, the first Mizo Matriculate helped and gave the Salvation Army Doctrine and Order & Regulations for soldiers to them. They studied and found it very good. Kawlkhuma wrote to Booth Tucker (Fakir Singh), who at the time was the leader of Salvation Army in India and they received a quick response from him. The letter says, ‘Send someone who can speak English, then we can have a talk’ which was a positive sign. Kawlkhuma and Chalchhuna were selected to go in search of the Salvation Army in Simla. Mr.Vanhlira, a plantation owner in Sairang village, the first donor in their quest, gave them Rs.60/- for their travelling.  

Mr. Kawlkhuma and Mr. Chalchhuna left for Simla on May 18th 1916 and reached Simla on 28th May 1916, the summer headquarters of the then, Major Frederick deLatour Tucker (Fakir Singh), the leader of The Army in India in those days. They had a talk with the Salvation Army leaders and come to a good understanding. Unfortunately, after staying only two days in Simla, Mr.Chalchhuna caught high-fever. He suffered for 16 days and was Promoted to Glory on 15th June 1916. While dying, he whispered, “Our Father who ‘art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. May thy kingdom come in Lushai Hills” This was his last speech, as heard by Kawlkhuma. 

Mr. Kawlkhuma signed the Articles of War on 16th June 1916 at Simla T.H.Q. and became a full fledged Salvationist. He entered training college in Bombay and was commissioned on 12th December 1916. As the government could not give permission to the Salvation Army to start their work in Assam and nearby areas, Bombay Headquarters appointed him to work in a Criminal Settlement in Gorakpur U.P. and served there. But keeping in mind his call to work for Mizoram, he wrote to Commissioner Fakir Singh, ‘If I am kept away from working for my Mizoram, it will be against the will of God’, then, he was granted permission to return to Mizoram. He quickly packed and happily headed for Mizoram. 

He reached Aizawl on 26th April 1917, the very same day hundreds of young Mizos, recruited to fight alongside the British in the First World War, were to depart from Aizawl. Lt. Kawlkhuma entered with a cap in which ‘The Salvation Army’ was written, wore a red tunic, yellow lungi (wrap), yellow scarf. People of all sorts were gathering in the Army ground at that time, and he encountered severe abuse from them. “Lord, thank you for equipping me with your power and bringing me to Mizoram to proclaim your message to the people of Mizoram”, Kawlkhuma murmured a prayer, ‘Lord, I am thankful to know that, because of you I am encountering all this sham and laughter, all these mocking have put me closer to you. It makes me proud as you are going to use me to heal the whole of Mizoram’. 

At the time young Mizos were being sent to fight in the World War, an officer of God’s Army commenced his mission of recruiting soldiers to fight for the Lord of lords and King of kings. The day is marked as the SA Anniversary in Mizoram. He was then joined by his former associates who shared his beliefs and practical Christian lifestyles.

Their Ministry spread rapidly with vitality and when the Mission (later the Presbyterian Church, strongest denomination at that time) came to know their growth, they urged them to change their way of thinking and returned to them. But as they take no heed and keep working with great vitality, they were asked to leave Aizawl in early part of 1918. Some families who came to Christ through their ministry joined them in their wanderings. The group composed of 8 families totaling 46 members.

They wandered from villages to villages asking shelter but, always received a negative response from the chief. Believing that their suffering was for the cause of Christ, they happily suffered the entire rebuff and their faith never withered. They kept going as a wandering bird for some time and finally the chief of Sawleng village grant them a place to make a dwelling in the outskirt of his village. The place is now well preserved by the Salvation Army and named as ‘Holy Land’ for Salvationists.

Lieutenant Kawlkhuma then spent some time at the house of Mr.Zakunga, a shopkeeper in Aizawl Mission Veng to concentrate in the translation work of Salvation Army Guidelines and Songbook. They had the first Salvation Army gathering at Sawleng on 18th April 1919 where they numbered 52. In 1920, 6 soldiers were sent for Officer’s training including Lalkaithanga whose Leadership role was prominent at the time of withdrawal of the Army works in Mizoram from the International headquarters during 1923-1928. It was a hard time for the Salvation Army in Mizoram as Officers were called back by the Headquarters. Their strength has turned up to 670 at this time and survived the harsh dark period through the zeal of four ‘Visitors Brigade’ who visited around anywhere to revive the Army Spirit.

Four Lushai Chiefs – Thuamluaia Sailo – Sawleng chief, Lalhleia Sailo – Ratu chief, Lalthima Saio – Tlangpui chief and Thanzama Sailo – Thiltlang chief, each wrote a letter to General Bramwell Booth requesting him to re-establish connections with the Salvation Army in Mizoram. The General then, evoke the Headquarters in India to enquire the status of Salvationists in Mizoram and learned that they kept to their fight and were no hindrance for the other denominations. Even during this dark period, Self Denial Appeal was made and submitted to Headquarters every year. A connection was then made again with the Calcutta Headquarters in 1928. 

A second batch comprising of 9 soldiers were sent for Officers Training in 1928, 1 in 1930, 4 in 1931, 4 in 1936, 3 in 1937 and 2 in 1938 at Calcutta. Officer Training was made available in Mizoram from 1941 and 11 Cadets were trained under Crusaders Session. 41 sessions of Officers Training follows till date. As per 2016 Disposition of Forces, there are 286 active officers and 73 Retired & Pensioned Officers in the Territory. Eight officers are presently serving in other Territories and IHQ.

In the early service years of Brig.Ngurliana, on reaching a new village of his appointment was told by the elder that the village chief will not tolerate a Salvationist and ask him to leave at once. He replied, ‘I have come to your village not under the direction of your chief, I am sent by Kawlkhuma. Your chief cannot send me away. Whether you slash me to pieces or pull me apart will make no difference, I will leave only when Kawlkhuma commands me to do so’. Such were the zeal and spirit of the earlier Officers and Salvationists.

The Army continues to grow and expand to neighboring states amid hardships and oppressions. Work in Cachar District, Assam commenced in March 26, 1950, Manipur in May 23, 1952, Meghalaya in January 25, 1979, Tripura in April 28, 1981, Sikkim in January 18, 1989, Nagaland in November 11, 1992, Arunachal Pradesh in June 17, 2002. It further expands to neighboring country Nepal which was officially opened in April 26, 2009 and Bhutan in January 5, 2013. The Army in India Eastern became a District in 1928, Division in 1945, Province in 1973, Command in 1978, Region in 1985. The Salvation Army India Eastern became a separate Command in June 1, 1991 and elevated to a Territory in March 28, 1993.

ACSAL (Advisory Council of the Salvation Army Laymen) was established in 1994 and continued till 2010, then it was replaced to a Territorial Council in 19th September 2011. Cabinet system of Administration was introduced in 28th May 2011. Territorial Women’s Ministries Council, Territorial SAY Council and Territorial YP Council established in India Eastern Territory proved fruitful. The territory has a separate website www.salvationarmy.org/iet under IHQ domain and also broadcast a programme for one hour every day in the Local Cable Network manned by SACNET (Salvation Army Communications Network) under the IT & Communications department. The Territory has contractual agreement with the All India Radio, Aizawl - FM Radio Zoawi as ‘Chhandamna Sipai Aw’ (Voice of the Salvation Army) since March 11, 2016 and it is aired for 15 Minutes every Friday at 8:15 – 8:30 PM.

The other significant programme which brought the territory to growth and development is the Outreach Mission Department. The Territorial Evangelical Mission Team form evangelistic team under the Spiritual Life Development Secretary and proclaim the Good News to every corner of the Territory. The Social Work endeavors’ is well known by the public through CHAN (Community Health Action Network) concentrating in community empowerment and vulnerable women. The Territory has Staff Songsters and Staff Band and also run William Booth School of Music affiliated to Royal School of Music, London. Street Mission is running at full swing depicting a mobilized Army.

Since the beginning, our pioneer officers have strived to become self support and have even explored the possibility of silk production and earnestly work towards the development of silk industry. They believed Hill people will have a better income generation and they introduced silk rearing in villages. Their dream has become a reality and Sericulture now becomes a separate Department in Mizoram. From 1995, the Territory strives towards Self Support and various measures have been explored and implemented. India Eastern Territory year marked the Centennial year 2017 to become fully Self Support Territory. Plan and Budgeting have been done to achieve this milestone. It has been accepted by every Divisional Council and approved by the Territorial Council.

2022 Disposition shows a total membership of 64,875, 245 Corps, 145 Societies and 41 Outposts. It is a giant leap from 670 members in 1923. Praise be to the Almighty God who is ever present with the people and the work of the Salvation Army in India Eastern Territory. 

 

Jean Ralte