loss of wealth
sickness
nuclear attack
o f man
all basic fears in the heart
Afraid of What?
E a r l y o n t h e morning of December 6 , Chinese Com munist troops stormed the walls of Tsingteh. This ancient town in Southern Anhwei Province had once, been known as the “ City of the Kings.” John and Betty Stamm, ambassadors of the King of Kings, were now living there. Before the Stamms could prepare to flee, the Reds thundered at their door. After being held cap tive for 24 hours, they were taken twelve miles across the mountains to the town of Miaosheo. A few hours before his death, John wrote to the leaders of the China Inland Mission: “ Dear Brethren: My wife, baby and I are today in the hands of the Communists. All of our possessions . . . are in their hands but we praise God for peace in our hearts. God grant you wisdom in what you do and us fortitude, courage, and peace of heart. He is able — and a wonderful Friend in such a time. The Lord bless and guide you. As for us, may God be glorified whether by life or by death. In Him, John.” Here you find not a word of pity or fear, not a sign of faltering. That night Betty was allowed to lie down, but John was tightly bound to a post of the bed. Early the next morning, they were led through the streets of the city, painfully bound by ropes and stripped of their outer clothing. As they marched to their deaths, the Communists cried to the people to come and watch the “ foreign devils” die. On a little hill outside the town, John was ordered to kneel. A flash of the sword brought quick release. Bound as she was, Betty fell on her knees beside her loved one. Quicker than I can tell it, the same sword brought death to her also. Those who witnessed the tragedy testified to the calmness with which they faced the worst their misguided enemies could do. Since that cold December day in 1934, not hundreds, but thousands in Korea, China, and other lands have sealed their faith with martyrdom. The quiet courage of John and Betty Stamm and those who have followed the
same path of triumph is beautifully expressed in the following poem written about another missionary mar tyred in China: “ Afraid? Of What?
“ To feel the spirit’s glad rielease? To pass from pain to perfect peace, The strife and strain of life to cease? Afraid—of that? “ Afraid? Of What? “Afraid to see the Saviour’s face, To hear His welcome, and to trace The glory gleam from wounds of grace? Afraid—of that? “ Afraid? Of What? “A flash, a crash, a pierced heart;
Darkness, light, O heaven’s art! A wound of His a counterpart! Afraid—of that?” They were not afraid to die. They longed, whether by life or by death, to glorify Christ. In handling the subject of fear, we will do well to ask the question in the poem, “Afraid? Of What?” . Is it the dreadful times in which we live? Any honest ob server will admit that world conditions are not particular ly reassuring. Our magazines, newspapers, radio, televi sion, and even government leaders warn us that the world is in grave danger. We are told that a nuclear war could annihilate much of humanity. The very at mosphere we breathe is poisoned with the virus of fear. We are a frightened people in search of safety. Parents wonder whether they should build bomb shelters for their children. Students wonder whether they were bom (continued on next page)
7
JULY, 1962
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