QUARTOSEPTCENTENNIAL SPECIAL SOUVENIRwith churches or with missionaries. The very plan of theworld shows, as we have seen, that in them there is evil andmistake. They are not to be your standard. They have noauthority as your guides. It is of Christ you have to judge.He stands apart, seeking to found no sect and to upset none,seeking only to make men know that each one of them hasa place in the Father’s heart.” Well, if Christ upset noneWilliam Miller upset many by those words, very radical andstrong words.1837 was our first day but that did not set us where we arenow, that was another date – 1937 - but there were someyears of preparation first, to make what we have now a veryspecial and wonderful place. Nobody can be of any doubtof that, sometimes I have say to the students in Canterburywho worship daily in the great Cathedral, “Don’t take suchgifts for granted.” And when I came here, like the Queenof Sheba, with all this green around me and also the Hallsgiving that community flavour, my breath was taken away.It is a wonderful treasure, a really wonderful treasure and Isuppose I could speak about the courage of Principal Hogg,for it must have been a really nervous time, taking the whole<strong>College</strong> which was built in the city and bringing it out here.But I actually want to mention somebody entirely other.There is a book which was written in France, it’s a littleparable and I have read it many times over the years notknowing whether it’s a true story or not. Its title is ‘The ManWho planted Trees’ and in the book it shows just one mangoing out and collecting acorns and seedlings in a barrenlandscape, in a valley that was dry of water and in a villagethat really wasn’t very proud of itself. Every day, unknownto people, he took some of the seeds that he had softened inwater and with his walking stick would make holes and plant200 each day. He did it for three years, and slowly as thetrees grew streams started to run again and the village hada completely different atmosphere. Now there is greeneryand a sense of creation rejoicing in the seasons once again.This was only because of the activity of one man. I oftenwondered whether it was true, until I came here. And ofcourse it is true because Edward Barnes and his wife Aliceover the short number of years that Edward lived, he died in1941 having coming here in 1932, planted out in the sameway the beginning of this green landscape which surroundsyou. It was a beautiful activity. I would want to give thanksas a visitor for that activity although he didn’t belong to myown denomination of the <strong>Christian</strong> Church. He was a Quakerbut just as Canterbury breaks down barriers so too <strong>Madras</strong><strong>Christian</strong> <strong>College</strong> breaks down barriers over and over againin embracing people of goodwill and of faith but declaringby its very foundation that fulfilment is in that little childof Bethlehem before whose vulnerable, silent humanitywisdom and knowledge knelt. “Celebrating History, ServingHumanity”, we know where wisdom is to be found, we knowwhere the place of understanding is which is more preciousthan gold. We know from the sacred scriptures what themystery of God is. It is found in the fulfilment of the divine inour human image which we <strong>Christian</strong>s believe is Christ. Notin easy answers which Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba,for humanity is a hard thing to comprehend and has to betreated sensitively as God treats us. Nevertheless, this 175years, which is really only a beginning for this wonderful<strong>College</strong>, is a cause for great celebration. Treasure all youhave but know all the time that God wants that gift laidbefore him in the shape of service to humanity whom you willtry to serve wherever it is vulnerable. And if you look aroundand think that the world is too big and the subjects we studyare too complex and are going to be beyond everything yourhead can manage, then don’t worry for God has given you asan individual very special gifts but at the same time you area part of a community, a community of care and hospitalityso others will complement the gifts which you have. Thereis a line in one of your Hall songs which perhaps sums it upas we gather here in celebration facing the future in a newbeginning, having given thanks for the past and wonderinghow we may serve the problems of humanity. Some of youwill know the music, I don’t, but I like the lines, “The wayyou face the problem is to start with you and me”. Thisafternoon looking back to the past we say “Thank you” andthen looking forward to the future both in this place and theplaces we intend to serve the world in Christ we hear Godsaying to us “The way to face the problem is to start with youand me”. Thank God for that past, and God bless you for thefuture and the next 175 years. Amen.24
QUARTOSEPTCENTENNIAL SPECIAL SOUVENIRThe History andHeritage ExhibitionPerhaps the greatest asset of the <strong>Madras</strong> <strong>Christian</strong><strong>College</strong> is its history and heritage. An exhibition showcasingthe history and heritage of the institution since inception till1978 was organized on Saturday, the 7 th January 2012.It was befitting that the exhibition was inaugurated byan outstanding alumnus and the former Chaplain to herMajesty the Queen of England, Rev. Ivor Smith Cameron,who reminisced his college life and formative influences.Dr Mithra G Augustine also went down the memory lane,sharing his experiences as a student and administrator. MrsSavithri Devanesen and many other officials of the college,past and present, participated in the inaugural function ofthe exhibition, which was presided over by the Principal Dr RW Alexander Jesudasan.Inauguration of the Exhibition by Rev. Ivor Smith CameronThe exhibition presented the five historic phases of thecollege beginning with the Anderson’s era and ending withthe Devanesen era. The attractive digital posters, photos andsketches, captured all the major events and developments inthe 175 year history of the Institution.The second section consisted of more than five hundredrare photographs that comprised the professors, students,famous alumni, the buildings and the Tambaram campus,which further captured the essence of the institutional life.The exhibition was organized in the Examination Hall for twoweeks, and there were hundreds of visitors, not only fromwithin the college, but from outside as well, consisting of alarge number of alumni and school children.Presentation of Memento25
Change language