Eldest Daughter of RACHEL POORANAM the Eldest Daughter of LEWIS the Youngest Son of REV.J.JOSHUA

Joshua       Lewis      Rachel Pooranam Ruby Sylvia     511 Ruby Sylvia 5111  Iris Chandramathy     5112 Godwin Rajasingh     5113 John Malachi Thilagan     5114 Jeyachandra Mohan     5115 Shirly Annapoorani   512 Eileen Charlotte Angela       513 Mercy Edna  5131 Moses Malachi Devaprasad     5132 Rachel Grace Angela     5133 Joshua Chandra Prabhu     5134 David Rabindran     5135 Andrew Jeyaprakash     514 Robin Eric Joslin 5141  Mallika Chandramathy     5142 Jemila Devaka     5143 Reginald Robin	Manickam Arthur was born to Mr.& Mrs.J.V.John of NAGERCOIL on the 5th October, 1911.  He had his school education in the Scott Christian High School and then the Intermediate Class in the Scott Christian College, NAGERCOIL.  He took his B. A. Degree in Physics from the Maharaja’s College, Trivandrum.  He then joined the Madras Christian College and took the M.A.Degree in Physics.  On completion of his studies he was appointed as demonstrator in Madras Christian College, Tambaram, and served there from 1929 to June, 1931.  In July, 1931, he joined  as a Lecturer in Physics, in the Scott Christian College NAGERCOIL.  Soon he was elevated as Professor and Head of the Department of Physics and Vice Principal of the College.  The phenomenal growth of the Physics Department and the Men’s Hostel of the College are due to the dedicated and untiring stewardship of Prof. J.M.Arthur.   He married Ruby Sylvia daughter of Mr.P.N.Malachi and Mrs.Pooranam Malachi of NAGERCOIL.  Mrs.Pooranam Malachi was one of the grand daughters of Rev.J.Joshua, the second Pastor of NAGERCOIL Home Church.  Ruby was born on 19th March, 1920, and had her early education in Burma, where her father was employed as a Superintendent in the Burma Railways.  Later when the family returned to India she joined the St.Joseph’s Convent High School, NAGERCOIL and then continued her studies at the Scott Christian College, NAGERCOIL.               Music was inherent in the family.  Mrs.Ruby Arthur was a good pianist.  She also sings beautifully.  She sings the part of ‘alto’ in the songs.  She was a friend of the poor and helped many who approached her for help.  She maintained very good relationship with relatives and friends and, received and entertained all visitors with a warm smile of friendship and love.               Prof. J.M.Arthur was appointed as the second Principal of Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, in 1966.  During his tenure of five years he raised the college as a full fledged institution of higher learning.  He was instrumental for inducting many Arts and Science Degree Courses in the College.  A major portion of the main building of the College was constructed during his time.  With his aesthetic sense, he organised the whole campus by laying proper roads, playing grounds at appropriate places and starting a beautiful garden.             He had an excellent way of teaching and as a teacher of Physics he earned the love and affection of all his students; as the Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Physics, he had the full co operation of all the teachers and as the Principal he had the whole hearted support of everybody.  He was indeed a unique personality.  One who came under his spell can never forget him.                He had served the Madras and Madurai Kamaraj Universities as  a Member of the Senate.  He had also served as a Member of the Standing Committee of the Academic Council and, Chairman of the Board of Studies in Physics.               The Arthurs were blessed with five children - two daughters Iris and Shirly, and, three sons Godwin who passed away at the age of 28 years, Thilagan and Mohan.  The children except Godwin are married and well settled in life.  They also have many grand children.                They are very much interested in gardening also.  Their house had a beautiful garden with Crotons and other flowering plants which they themselves took care of by watering them regularly.  The family was God fearing and participated in all the Church Services and other activities.  Being interested in music one could hear singing in their house almost every day in which all the family members will be taking part.  Prof. Arthur held many posts in the Diocese.  To mention a few he was for some period a Member of the Diocesan Council, Member of the Church Board, Member of the Scott Christian College Governing Board etc. Mrs.Ruby Arthur had also served as a Member of the Board of the YWCA, NAGERCOIL, for many years.                Mrs.Ruby Arthur passed away at a young age of 57 years on 18th December, 1977.  Prof. Arthur lived for 17 years more and left for his heavenly abode on 9th January, 1994, at the age of 83 years.  His funeral service at the Home Church Cemetery was attended by a large gathering of relatives and friends from far and near.