D. T. Niles

Daniel Thambyrajah Niles (4 May 1908 – 17 July 1970) was a Sri Lankan pastor, theologian, ecclesiologist, evangelist and president of the Ceylon Methodist Conference.

Early life and family Niles was born on 4 May 1908 in Tellippalai in northern Ceylon. He was the son of district judge W. D. Niles and Rani Muthamma. He was educated at Jaffna Central College.

Niles was also known as an author of many theological books such as:

That They May Have Life (1951) - This book is the source of Niles' most famous quote: "Evangelism is witness. It is one beggar telling another beggar where to get food." His statement is sometimes mis-quoted by substituting "bread" for "food." Preaching the Gospel of the Resurrection (1953) Reading the Bible To-Day (1955) Living With the Gospel (1957) The Preacher’s Task and the Stone of Stumbling (1958) In the Beginning – Biblical Essays Based on the Book of Genesis (1958) The Preacher’s Calling to be Servant (1959) As Seeing the Invisible – A Study of the Book of Revelation (1961) Upon the Earth: The Mission of God and Missionary Enterprise of the Churches (1962) We Know in Part (1964) Whereof We are Witnesses (1965) The Power at Work Among Us – Meditations For Lent (1967) Who is This Jesus (1968) What’s Life For: That They May See (1968)

Death Niles died on 17 July 1970.