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In terms of the period of service of missionary principals at Richmond, Rev. W. J. T. Small earns second place, one year behind Rev. Alec Sneath. But Rev. Small was undoubtedly the principal who had the longest association with the College.
Although he ceased to be principal in 1922, the school continued to benefit from his counsel and guidance in all important matters. During the later years of his life, he also functioned as an effective link with the past history of the College.
Rev. W. J. T. Small was born on 4th July, 1883, at Boston, Lincolnshire in England. After graduating from Cambridge University, he joined the Methodist Mission in 1906 and received his first appointment as principal of Richmond College, succeeding the illustrious Darrell. Small was the youngest to hold this post.
Rev. Small was a brilliant teacher of Mathematics, Science and Christianity. He was also known to possess a philosophical bent. Apart from these talents, he was a fine sportsman.
Rev. Small firmly believed that proper training was an essential prerequisite for success in any activity. Accordingly, he arranged a systematic training programme for all teachers.
Through personal conduct, he set an example to his staff and students. He got up early in the morning and was very active throughout the day. His attention was focussed not only on academic work, but also on matters such as religious activities, discipline, cleanliness and tidiness, He led a very simple life and used to do most of his work by himself.
Sports and physical education received a special place under Rev. Small. He was frequently seen on the ground after school hours, coaching the boys at cricket, soccer, and athletics.He was able to bring further refinement to the work started by Rev Darrell. During Small's period, the school reached a high standard in education and sports.
During the first World War, everybody was working under much mental strain, and many practical difficulties arose in administering a school. Rev. Small's calm nature and balanced temperament were of much value in those troubled times.
A notable feature of Rev. Small's period as principal was the formation of the National Union at Richmond. It was a significant deviation from the conservatism of his predecessors. Small gave a place to indigenous culture, religion and nationalism. Pioneer Buddhist educationists and nationalists like P. De S. Kularatne, L. H. Mettananda, S. F. de Silva and T. U. de Silva had their initial grounding in the Richmond National Union.
The Scout and Cub movements and the Richmond-Mahinda annual debate were started during his period.
In addition to the services to the College, Rev. Small also involved himself actively in the welfare of the community. He rendered valuable service during the scarcity of food in the war years and the influenza epidemic.
Rev. Small resigned from the post of principal of Richmond in 1922. Certain family diffculties and the wishes of the Mission forced him take this step. But it is believed that it was with sadness in his heart that Small left Richmond. From 1926 to 1953 he was engaged in missionary work in other countries. In 1951, he came back specially to participate in the 75th anniversary celebrations of the College.
After retiring from active service in the Methodist Mission, Rev. Small returned to Sri Lanka in 1953, and spent the last years of his life on his beloved Richmond Hill.
He was an ardent and devout Christian. A prolific writer, he authored many books on religion, some of the titles being "History of Methodism in Ceylon", "Local Christians in Ceylon", A Reply to Bertram Russel's Why I am not a Christian" and “An Appendix to the Sinhala Bible".
He was active to the last, taking a keen interest in the activities of the College and the OBA.
Rev. Small died after a brief illness on 28th December, 1978, at the age of 95, and was buried at the Dadalla cemetery, beside the grave of that other great principal of Richmond, Rev. Darrell.
Extracted from Richmond Magazine(1876-1994)
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