Herbert Benjamin Edwardes - Christian Evangelism

Christian Evangelism

Edwardes was a devout Christian of the Protestant anti-ritualist variety. Perhaps one of the major criticisms of his career could be stated to be his propensity to evangelise amongst the indigenous populations of India. His actions were no doubt undertaken with the very best intentions, he having believed it his Christian duty to spread the message of the Gospel where it was unknown. Yet even after the Indian Mutiny of 1857-8, caused in some measure by the sepoys' belief that their ancient religions were under attack with the sanction of the British-Indian regime, he continued, on his return to India in 1862, to enthusiastically urge the Government of India to publicly support the propagation of Christianity in India. Reputable biographers have gone so far as to call this attitude of his "a considerable lack of common sense", which is in stark contrast to the superior diplomatic and political instincts he displayed throughout his career. He shared his strong evangelical Christian attitudes with his brother officer and close friend Brigadier-General John Nicholson. During his final period in England, he served as vice-president of the Church Missionary Society.