Word on the Web
For What Purpose - Part 4
Published: 1 February 2012
Many of you know about the Boxer rebellion in 1900. It was one of the most difficult periods for missionaries. In that one year thousands of Christians died. Of course, not just Chinese Christians but many missionaries died because of the Boxer rebellion. In the China Inland Mission, fifty-eight missionaries died including twenty-two children. Those of you who have read the record will know that many of the children died because they were beheaded. They chopped off their heads, that’s how brutal it was. When the dust finally settled and the Chinese government decided to compensate these missionaries for what they lost, the China Inland Mission leaders came together. As they prayed, they decided to accept no compensation for lives lost, for bodily injury or the loss of property. This was a real shock to the Chinese government. They said, ‘Why do you not ask for compensation?‘ And this was their reply, ‘We came with the good news; we were willing to even give our lives for the sake of the Chinese people, for the sake of the gospel.’ This really struck the Chinese government and the Governor of Shanxi Provence wrote a letter. He said, ‘I want this letter to be hung on every wall of government offices, in schools, in offices and places, and I want it to be read out to others,‘ and this is what he wrote: ‘I charge you all, scholars, army and lay people, those of you who are fathers, to exhort your sons, those of you who are elder sons, to exhort your younger brothers, to bear in mind the example of the China Inland Mission who is able to forbear and forgive as taught by Jesus Christ.’ He says, ‘Jesus, in his instruction, inculcates forbearance and forgiveness, and all the desire for revenge is discouraged. The China Inland Mission is able to carry out these principles to the full and this mode of action deserves our attention.‘ It says, ‘These people follow the example of Jesus Christ. They are followers of Christ, their message carries authenticity.’
Patrick Fung : For what purpose? Psalm 97
Taken from the 2011 Keswick Convention Ministry Book “Word to the World”
Details on how to order are available here.