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When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the Mission went into a period of anxiety and hardship. At the very beginning of the war, there was little change.
However, after the German occupation of Denmark and Norway in April 1940, the situation altered immediately.
Santal Mission and Second World War
The Missionary Conference had gathered at Dumka in February 1940. But due to the new situation, the whole budget had to be reconsidered. Denmark and Norway had no possibilities for sending out funds; and though the American Santal Mission increased its contributions greatly, an unpredicted situation had arisen.
As a result of the war the cost of living increased. At the same time, the missionaries as well as the national workers had to live on decreased salaries. After the Pearl Harbour catastrophe in December 1942; it became difficult to keep connections with the American Home Board also.
Still, the work went on more or less as usual, though part of the institutional work had to be curtailed to some extent. The plan needs new constructions, needed repair, etc. had to be postponed until after the war. That the work could be carried out in this way was to a great extent due to Mornai Tea Estate.
Mornai Tea Estate
During the Second World War, there was a great demand for tea and the prices were good. The tea garden gave substantial financial help to the Mission during these years. So, that no institution had to be closed.
Help also came from other sources, such as The Norwegian Exile Government in London and the Lutheran World Federation gave quite large sums annually. The Anglican Church in Assam gathered funds for the Santipara Leprosy Colony.
Scottish Santal Mission
The Scottish Santal Mission in Bihar and some friends in Argentina and Iceland and the Faero Islands also sent their contributions.
The Rev. Johannes Gausdal succeeded Rosenlund as Secretary of the Mission in 1940. Gausdal had been on the field since 1915. During Rosenlund’s furlough in 1933-1934, he had been the Acting Secretary of the Mission.
Gausdal was immensely interested in the upbuilding and establishment of an independent Church. Only a few years after his arrival in India he published a small booklet called Menighetsdannelsen i Santalistan, in which he gives his historical account of the forming of the Santal Church.
Gausdal always thought more in the term of Church than Mission; and he was one of the most active missionaries with regard to the formulation of a Church Constitution during the 1930s.