D. T. Niles
Reverend D. T. Niles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 May 1908 |
| Died | 17 July 1970 (aged 62) |
| Alma mater | Jaffna Central College United Theological College, Bangalore |
| Occupation | Pastor/Theologian |
Daniel Thambyrajah Niles (4 May 1908 – 17 July 1970) was a Sri Lankan pastor, theologian, ecclesiologist, evangelist and president of the Ceylon Methodist Conference.
Early life and family
[edit]Niles was born on 4 May 1908 in Tellippalai in northern Ceylon.[1] He was the son of district judge W. D. Niles and Rani Muthamma.[2] He was educated at Jaffna Central College.[1][2] After school he received theological training at United Theological College, Bangalore between 1920 and 1933.[2]
Mailvaganam married Dulcie Solomons in 1935.[2] They had two sons (Preman and Wesley Dayalan).[2]
Career
[edit]After returning to Ceylon, Niles taught at Jaffna Central College until 1936.[2] He was then ordained as a priest and became District Evangelist for the North District of the Methodist Church of Ceylon.[2]
Niles became general secretary of the National Christian Council of Ceylon.[2] He was chairman of the Youth Department of the World Council of Churches between 1948 and 1952.[2] He was appointed Executive Secretary of the Department of Evangelism in the World Council of Churches in 1953.[1] He also served as chairman of the World Student Christian Federation.[1] He was general secretary and later chairman of the East Asian Christian Conference.[1] He was also one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches.[1]
Niles was pastor of the Methodist Church in Point Pedro (1946–50); pastor at Maradana (1950–53); principal of Jaffna Central College (1956–62); and superintendent minister at St. Peter's Church, Jaffna (1953–59).[2] He was elected chairman of the North Ceylon Synod and president of the Ceylon Methodist Conference in 1964.[2] Niles wrote the hymn "The Great love of God is revealed in the Son".[3]
Niles was also known as an author of many theological books such as:
- That They May Have Life (1951) - This book is the source of Niles' most famous quote: "Evangelism is witness. It is one beggar telling another beggar where to get food."[4] His statement is sometimes mis-quoted by substituting "bread" for "food."
- Preaching the Gospel of the Resurrection (1953)
- Reading the Bible To-Day (1955)
- Living With the Gospel (1957)
- The Preacher’s Task and the Stone of Stumbling (1958)
- In the Beginning – Biblical Essays Based on the Book of Genesis (1958)
- The Preacher’s Calling to be Servant (1959)
- As Seeing the Invisible – A Study of the Book of Revelation (1961)
- Upon the Earth: The Mission of God and Missionary Enterprise of the Churches (1962)
- We Know in Part (1964)
- Whereof We are Witnesses (1965)
- The Power at Work Among Us – Meditations For Lent (1967)
- Who is This Jesus (1968)
- What’s Life For: That They May See (1968)
Death
[edit]Niles died on 17 July 1970.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Fernando, Ransiri J. (30 June 2004). "Rev. Dr. D T Niles - Memorable personality". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 16 February 2005.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Arumugam, S. (1997). Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon. p. 124.
- ^ Methodist Publishing House, Hymns and Psalms, 1983
- ^ New York: Harper & Brothers, That They May Have Life, 1951, p.96
