much for the diffusion of Christian thought in India as this plain, modest, indefatigable, plodding Scotsman. ”²⁰

He left for Kandy in Ceylon in 1844 as Headmaster of a Government School. He became interested in the production of Christian literature and due to his stimulation and enthusiasm a “Religious / tract Society” was founded in 1847, which took over the printing establishment previously held by the Baptists.²¹

“A hundred coolies from India in Ceylon gathered together and worshipped the true God in a Strange land without ministers or sacraments.”²² John Murdoch soon was aware of these events. He used to ride out during the week-ends, and hold services for the planters. He himself detected the small Christian group of labourers from Tirunelvely (in India). In 1854, Rev. William Knight came to inspect the work of the Christian mission Society in Ceylon and was informed about the above circumstances by Murdoch. He (Murdoch) left for Tirunelvely and called for volunteers for Ceylon.²³ He returned to Ceylon in November 1854.

In 1855, he entered the service of the United Presbytery of Scotland in order to devote himself entirely to literary work.²⁴ In 1858, he went to Madras and was given charge of the Christian Vernacular Education Society. He gave himself entirely for its progress. This Society became later the “Christian Literature Society For India”,.............founded originally as the Vernacular Education Society in 1858 and directed during the first 46 years of its life by the above and energetic Dr. John Murdoch.²⁵

20. Julius Richter D. D. A History of Missions in India. Translated by Sydney H. Moore Welling. Aug. 1908; Pp. 296-97.

21. Ibid. Pp. 296-97.

22. N. C. Sargant. The Dispersion of The Tamil Church. First published in 1940-Revised and enlarged in 1962, Pp. 64-65.

23. Ibid. Pp. 64-65.

24. Julius Richter-op. cit. Pp. 296-297.

25. Cyril Bruce Firth, M. A. An Introduction to Indian Church History. Published 1961. P. 206.