N. Samuel of Tranquebar

Rev. N. Samuel of Tranquebar (Tamil: ஞா.சாமுவேல்; 18 September 1850 – 20 May 1927) was a professor in divinity, pastor in the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (T.E.L.C.), and a hymnodist. He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.) Council.

Timeline Born at Kumbakonam on 18 September 1850 Trained by R. Handmann, Tranquebar Seminary 1877–1880 & 1892–1901 Ordained on 31 October 1878 at Tranquebar, by senior J. M. N. Schwartz Pastor at Tranquebar 1880–1891 & 1897–1919 Pastor at Karaikal 1897–1919 Pastor at Manikramam 1919 Pastor at Porayar 1917–1919 Pastor at Bangalore 1921 With Missouri Mission 1921–1927 Returned to T.E.L.C. Early 1927 Died in Madras on 20 May 1927

Professor He was the first Indian professor in the Theological Colleges in Tranquebar, Porayar, and Bangalore (United Theological College). He was slated to teach some classes in the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai, when he died.

Poet Best known among his lyrics are "En Meetpar Uyirodirukayilay" (என் மீட்பர் உயிரோடிருக்கயிலே), "Senaigalin Kartharey" (சேனைகளின் கர்த்தரே), "Seerthiri Yegavasthey" (சீர்திரி ஏகவஸ்தே நமோ நமோ), and "Gunapadu Paavi" (குணப்படு பாவி). He composed the college song "Arulaar Putkarathil Thangi" and designed the monogram, for the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College.

Vedanayagam Sastriar of Tanjore, Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai, and N. Samuel of Tranquebar were known as the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets.

One of his earliest compositions was about a journey to Tanjore called "Thanjai Payan Padham". Another was "Kallu Kummi" (The Toddy Kummi), where the strong drink talks about her glories, which made the drunkard blush in shame. His book Gospel Lyrics contains 200 songs composed over a period of 60 years.

He is remembered as a translator who put German hymns into Tamil meter, including the following: Gott sei Dank in aller Welt, "Kartharukku Sthothiram" (கர்த்தருக்கு ஸ்தோத்திரம்) , "Erathangaayam Kuth-thum" (இரத்தம் காயம் குத்தும்) Nun freut euch, Gottes Kinder all, "Magizh Karthaavin Manthayae" (மகிழ் கர்த்தாவின் மந்தையே) , "Aa Yesuvae, Neer Yengalai" (ஆ ஏசுவே, நீர் எங்களை) , "Naal Pome, Yen Saavu Velai" (எந்த நாள் போம், ஏன் சாவு வேளை) Laudamus te, "Ummai Thuthikirome" (உம்மை துதிக்கிறோமே) Du, o schönes Weltgebäude, "Veghuperuku-inbamaana" (வெகுபேருக்கு இன்பமான)

Author Rev. N. Samuel wrote several books

He preached his last sermon on 1 May 1927, in the Lutheran Adaikalanathar Church, Purasawakam, Madras, on John 10:11–16.

Theologian His theology was rooted in Lutheran Pietism, a renewed form of the post-reformation Lutheranism that was held by theologians in Halle in the 16th century, such as August Hermann Francke (1663–1727) and Philipp Jakob Spener (1635–1705). He was well versed in the life, works, and teachings of Martin Luther.

He was a great lover of Spurgeon's works, and possessed many of his books in his library. After reading John Ploughman's Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures, he wrote Ullathu Solvayne. Samuel was known as Tamil Spurgeon, although it is not clear if he was known for his strictness in doctrinal matters or for his homiletic gifts. He was also familiar with Waltharian views of Lutheranism. His allegiance was to God first and only then to his church. When it was time for the German missionaries to leave India, leaving the leadership on Indian shoulders, it was decided that the church would follow an Episcopal form of church government. Rev. N. Samuel felt that this and other innovations that were introduced were not according to the Biblical model and protested. When he realised that change was inevitable, in the middle of 1921, he left the T.E.L.C that he had served all his life, and joined the Missouri Mission. He returned to the T.E.L.C. in 1927 shortly before his death.