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Erias Unangst

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Rev. Dr. Erias Unangst
Personal details
Born1823
Easton, Pennsylvania, United States
Died1903
DenominationEvangelical Lutheran Church (General Synod)
SpousePhebe Ann Unangst (d. 1888)
OccupationLutheran missionary, physician

Rev. Dr. Erias Unangst (1823–1903) was an American Lutheran missionary and physician who served in India for nearly 38 years under the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States. Born in Easton, Pennsylvania,[1] Unangst became one of the most significant pioneers of Lutheran missionary work in southern India, particularly known for his translation work in the Telugu language.[1]

Missionary Service

Appointment and Early Years (1858–1871)

Dr. Unangst was appointed as a General Synod missionary to India in 1858.[2][3] He served continuously in India until 1871, when he briefly returned to the United States.[1] He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree by Wittenberg College in 1878.[1] Unangst returned to India and remained there until 1895, completing approximately 35 years of missionary service.[1] During the period of his service, the Board of Foreign Missions reported increasing success and growth in the Guntur mission field.[4]

Work in India

Unangst was stationed at the Guntur mission field in southern India, which was one of only two foreign mission fields operated by the General Synod during this period, the other being in Western Africa.[5] The Guntur mission was the flagship mission effort of the General Synod's Board of Foreign Missions.[6]

Unangst served alongside fellow missionary Adam Long for several years. When Long left for Europe or passed away, Unangst assumed leadership of all four mission stations in the Telugu region: Guntur, Palnad, Rajahmundry, and Samulcotta.[1]

Telugu Translation Work

Perhaps Unangst's most significant contribution was his translation of the New Testament into the Telugu language, which became the standard text used in the mission field.[1] He also composed various religious tracts and hymns, which he translated into Telugu, providing invaluable resources for communication with the local population and facilitating evangelism.[1]

In recognition of his 25 years of service in India, Unangst was presented with a specially bound Telugu Bible on April 1, 1888. The presentation copy, bound at the Foster Press in Madras, bore the gilt inscription: "To the Rev. E. Unangst, D.D., on His 25th Year in India, From Those For Whom He Has Labored, Guntoor, 1st April 1888."[1]

During his service, Unangst combined medical practice with evangelistic work, providing both physical and spiritual care to the local population.[7] His work contributed to the establishment and growth of what would become a significant Lutheran presence in southern India. The 1883 General Synod proceedings noted that the India mission "was never so deeply rooted in the affections of our people, nor so full of promise" as at that time.[8] The report emphasized that more laborers were needed and called for increased contributions to support missionaries like Unangst.[8]

Partnership with His Wife (1858–1888)

Dr. Unangst's wife, Phebe Ann Unangst, accompanied him as a missionary from 1858 until her death on [date] 1888.[3] She served for 30 years alongside her husband, participating in the mission work in India.[3] Her death in 1888 occurred while the couple was still stationed in India, eight years before Dr. Unangst's retirement from missionary service in 1896.[3]

Connection to the General Synod

Despite his overseas posting, Unangst maintained connections with the American church. He is recorded as a "Clerical Visitor" at the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod held in Springfield, Ohio, from May 16–22, 1883,[2] suggesting he was on furlough in the United States during that time.

Furlough to United States (1883)

During the 1883 General Synod convention, Unangst was among 75 clerical visitors listed in the proceedings,[9] representing missionaries and clergy from various fields who attended the convention held at the English Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio.[10] The convention opened on May 16, 1883, with Rev. Prof. C. A. Hay, D.D., preaching the synodical sermon.[10] The convention included detailed reports on foreign missions, providing Unangst an opportunity to reconnect with the supporting churches and witness the growing commitment to foreign mission work.[5]

Timeline

  • 1823 – Born in Easton, Pennsylvania[1]
  • 1858 – Appointed as missionary to India; arrived with wife Phebe Ann Unangst[3][2]
  • 1858–1895 – Served at Guntur mission field in southern India[1]
  • 1871 – Brief return to the United States[1]
  • 1878 – Awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree from Wittenberg College[1]
  • May 16–22, 1883 – Attended General Synod convention in Springfield, Ohio (on furlough)[11]
  • April 1, 1888 – Honored with presentation Telugu Bible for 25 years of service; death of wife Phebe Ann Unangst[3][1]
  • 1895 – Retired from missionary service after approximately 35 years[1]
  • 1903 – Died[1]

Legacy

Rev. Dr. Erias Unangst's 35 years of service (1858–1895) represented a significant commitment during a formative period of American Lutheran missions in India.[1] His work, along with that of other early missionaries, laid the groundwork for the expansion of Lutheran medical and educational missions in southern India.

Unangst's most enduring legacy was his translation of the New Testament into Telugu, which remained the standard text used in the mission field for years to come.[1] His composition of Telugu hymns and religious tracts provided essential tools for evangelism and worship among the Telugu-speaking population. As the leader of four mission stations (Guntur, Palnad, Rajahmundry, and Samulcotta), Unangst established organizational structures that enabled the mission's continued growth.[1]

The mission work at Guntur continued to grow after Unangst's service. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it included the establishment of hospitals (including the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission Hospital founded in 1897 by Anna Sarah Kugler), schools, and a robust church community that became part of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church.[12]

Mission Context

The General Synod's foreign mission work during Unangst's tenure was supported by contributions from congregations across the United States. The Twenty-second Biennial Report of the Board of Foreign Missions (1883) recorded total receipts of $50,741.08 over a two-year period for foreign mission work.[13] The India mission at Guntur, where Unangst served, received substantial portions of these funds.

The 1883 convention reports documented that the General Synod was experiencing unprecedented growth in foreign missions support, with the report noting "The prospects for the future are of such a character as to be in all respects most encouraging."[14]

The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society also played an important role in supporting missionaries like the Unangsts, providing both financial support and material goods such as clothing and supplies valued at $2,755.35 during the 1881-1883 period.[15] By 1883, the Women's Missionary Society had grown to 19 synodical societies with 213 auxiliary societies, representing 5,299 members who contributed $11,822.57 over the previous two years.[14] These "boxes" of supplies and clothing "brought gladness to many a heart" at mission stations like Guntur.[16]

Administrative Oversight

The Board of Foreign Missions, which oversaw Unangst's work, was led by Rev. Jacob A. Clutz as Corresponding Secretary[17] and Mr. Oliver F. Lantz as Treasurer.[18] The Board presented detailed biennial reports to the General Synod conventions, documenting the progress and needs of each mission field.[5]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Cross and Crown Rare Books. "1881 Telugu Language Bible. 1st Ed. Rev. E. Unangst - Presentation Bible." AbeBooks.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, p. 6
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 User-provided information about Dr. Unangst and Phebe Ann Unangst
  4. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "Twenty-second Biennial Report of the Board of Foreign Missions," pp. 12-14
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, pp. 12-14
  6. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "Report on Foreign Missions," pp. 12-13
  7. ↑ Anna Sarah Kugler Collection, "Pioneer Medical Missionary in India," Scribd Document 701325170
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "State of the Church," p. 42
  9. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, pp. 6-7
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, p. 3
  11. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, pp. 3-6
  12. ↑ Anna Sarah Kugler Collection, "Pioneer Medical Missionary in India"
  13. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "State of the Church," pp. 42-44
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Report," p. 23
  15. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, "Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Report," pp. 23-24
  16. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, p. 23
  17. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, p. 12
  18. ↑ Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod, 1883, pp. 12-13

Bibliography

Primary Sources

  • Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States, Convened in Springfield, O., May 16-22, 1883. Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1883. Full text available online
  • Twenty-second Biennial Report of the Board of Foreign Missions. General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, May 1883. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention, pp. 12-14.
  • Report of Treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions. Presented by Oliver F. Lantz, May 1883. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-First Convention, pp. 12-13.
  • Kugler, Anna Sarah. "Pioneer Medical Missionary in India." Papers and diaries, 1883-1930. Evangelical Lutheran Church archives. Available on Scribd

Secondary Sources

  • General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. List of Clerical Visitors to the Thirty-First Convention. May 1883.
  • Lutheran Publication Society. Minutes and Statistical Reports. Philadelphia, 1881-1883.

Further Reading

  • Heyer, John Christian Frederick. Memoir of the Rev. C. F. Heyer: First Missionary of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church to India. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1857.
  • Drach, George. History of the India Mission of the General Synod. Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, various years.

External links


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