This essay is to explore the life and work of Dr. John Scudder (1793-1855), a missionary to Ceylon and to discuss his theological place in the history of missions. He studied at Princeton College and then at College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. As a successful physician, he realized God’s calling to missionary work abroad while he was reading a religious tract in a patient’s home. Together with his wife, Harriet Scudder, and three other missionaries, Dr. Scudder sailed to Ceylon, today’s Sri Lanka, where he worked thirty six years for mission. His primary choice was India, but the East India Company opposed any missionary work in their ruling territories. That was why he had to the northern part of Ceylon where he was free to preach, teach, and treat. Dr. Scudder was the first medical missionary sent by American Church to foreign countries. He was also a forerunner of the medical mission and the most distinguished model for later medical missionaries. He launched a ministry of intensive evangelism by establishing hospitals and schools. He trained natives to become medical doctors. He also founded several churches after he became a ordained pastor in Ceylon. Dr. Scudder made religious small tracts about biblical stories which were written in Tamil to distribute to numerous people. He had to suffer and overcome countless obstacles and hardships against his missionary work. Ecological diseases, famines, economic burdens, family matters, natural disasters, persecutions from other religious groups, and other troubles could not hinder his ministry. He even suffered the losses of his two daughters in the missionary fields. Nevertheless, his mission was very successful and his wife, Harriet, was also wonderful partner to this missionary work. In 1836, he moved to Madras, India in order to supervise young missionaries. During his later days, he visited many missionary posts in South Asia and Africa in order to share his missionary experiences. His last visiting place was the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, where he went into eternal peace in 1855. Later generations of numerous missionaries were impressed and influenced by his deeds and words. While visiting North America, more than one hundred thousand young people heard his lectures and sermons about mission and foreign cultures. Influenced by Scudder's mission, James Taylor made a resolution to become missionary to American outcasts and westerners. David Coit Scudder also became a missionary after having been impressed by Dr. John Scudder's Mission. Furthermore, his heritage includes forty two missionary descendants, whose years of ministry service in mission fields are close to almost one thousand. One of the most famous medical missionaries out of his descendants was Dr. Ida Scudder who also worked in India.

• 김동주(호서대학교 교수 ․ 역사신학) | Kim DongJoo