Amy Wilson Carmichael

Amy Wilson Carmichael (16 December 1867 – 18 January 1951) was an Irish Christian missionary who served in India for over 55 years. She is best known for her work among orphaned children and for her opposition to the practice of temple prostitution.

Early Life and Calling

Carmichael was born in Millisle, County Down, Ireland in 1867. She was the eldest of seven children born to David and Catherine Carmichael. Her father was a devout Presbyterian and her mother was a woman of deep faith.

Carmichael experienced a conversion experience at the age of 18. She began to study the Bible and to seek God's will for her life. In 1888, she felt a calling to go to China as a missionary. However, she was unable to go due to health reasons.

Missionary Work in India

In 1893, Carmichael sailed to India as a missionary with the Church Missionary Society. She was initially stationed in Madras (now Chennai), but she later moved to Dohnavur, a village in southern India.

Carmichael was deeply moved by the plight of orphaned children in India. She began to take in orphans and to care for them in her own home. In 1900, she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, a missionary organization dedicated to the care of orphans and to the spread of the gospel.

Carmichael was also a vocal opponent of the practice of temple prostitution. She established a number of homes for rescued temple prostitutes and she worked to raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking.

Notable Works

Carmichael wrote over 35 books about her missionary work and her experiences in India. Some of her most notable works include:

• Gold Cord
• Thou Givest Gifts
• Edges of His Ways
• More than These
• The Broken Vessel
• Poems

Philosophy

Carmichael's philosophy was based on her deep faith in Jesus Christ. She believed that all people were created in the image of God and that they deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. She also believed that the gospel of Jesus Christ was the only answer to the problems of the world.

Death and Legacy

Carmichael died in Dohnavur, India on January 18, 1951. She was 83 years old. She is buried in the Dohnavur Fellowship compound.

Carmichael is remembered as a courageous and compassionate missionary who dedicated her life to serving the poor and the oppressed. She is also remembered as a gifted writer and poet. Her books continue to inspire and challenge Christians around the world.

Interesting Fact

Carmichael was once asked what her greatest ambition was. She replied, "To be a lover of God and of His people."