After reporting about the founding of the YMCA by young native lay people like Mr. A.E. David (who was recommended for ordination for Trichur that year itself), the missionary has an interesting remark about native Christians. He rightly writes:
"I am more and more convinced that real and permanent success in missionary work depends upon the spiritual life of the native Church. To strive in producing and fostering that spiritual life and directing its energies into right channels, guarding against extravagances and excesses, and promoting its healthy development, should be at least one main object of the European missionary's endeavours".
The Rev. J.H. Bishop was in Trichur in January 1887. He left Trichur only in Feb. 1887. The letter mentioned is written in June 1887. Therefore the founding of the YMCA referred to by the Rev. J.H. Bishop, as reported to him must have taken place in Feb-May, 1887. Since it is also stated that the founding was done prior to the arrival of the Rev. P.P. Joseph, one is able to fix the date approximately. Unless and until we find any other document stating the exact date of the YMCA, Trichur, I will place the date during Feb-April 1887.
Unfortunately the letter of Mr. A.E. David, addressed to the Rev. J.H. Bishop, is not available. Since the mail to England was not quick in the last century it is possible the letter the Rev. Bishop refers to in June must have been sent from India by Mr. A.E. David by April the latest.
The missionary in Trichur, Rev. F. Bower in his letter dated Trichur 15 Dec. 1892 informs CMS mission in London about his work in Trichur.
"The Total Abstinence Society, and the YMCA, are both associations which I am thankful for. The weekly and monthly meetings for prayer and Christian fellowship are times of refreshing, which, I think, all appreciate. There are two meetings weekly for the women, which my wife conducts; the one on Wednesday afternoon for the members of the YMCA and the other on Friday for women in general.
At Kunnamkulam also there are Total Abstinence Society, then YMCA and the YMCA all helpful to the spiritual life of the congregation".
In the same letter, the Rev. F. Bower asks?
"What are the members of the numerous YMCA in Great Britain doing? We sadly want more European as well as native Evangelists, Men of God, and full of love for immortal souls".
Referring to the deaths in Trichur as a result of small pox, Rev. Bower writes from Trichur on Feb 5, 1894.
"A Church only two or three furlong from ours, belonging to Bishop Mellus lost no less than 500 of its members. Church services have on the whole been very fairly attended, and at the watch night services, which was a very impressive one, no less than 900 were present, including a few Romanists".
Rev. J.J.B. Palmer, Trichur, April 3, 1894, writes.
"A little time, much less than I could have wished has been given to the YMCA in Trichur -a flourishing association founded some few years ago by the present missionaries, and fostered by their care, with now its own hall for meetings -and the kindred association at Kunnamkulam, the YWCA at Trichur, and its branch association at the out station, Munkutti-all grown up under the same care, the last two under Mrs. Bower's presidentship -the Temperance Associations at Trichur and Kunnamkulam, and the Scripture Unions".
