il a i PE CeO LO ae wa MSD! | | | Ht | Hi il ) il i A | i H | Hh Mi ATUL At WA ie i oc | ce | RTT TEI | cA i ANA AN | | i | | | AcE HAA Library of The Theological Seminary PRINCETON - NEW JERSEY Cb FROM THE LIBRARY OF ROBERT ELLIOTT SPEER CBP BV 3427 .R45 1925 Bartholomew, Allen R., 1855 1.933% The martyr of Huping a Bia ay moar tt gee * ay Le il ‘ ) Rev. WILLIAM ANSON REIMERT THE MARTYR OF HUPING A PORTRAIT OF HIS SPIRIT A man would rather leave behind him a por- trait of his spirit than a portrait of his face. So Jesus must have felt, for we have no like- ness of our Saviour’s face to which we can go for inspiration, but it is His Spirit which in- spires our whole life. His Spirit has animated noble and unselfish men of every age, and it is His Spirit living yet that has prompted this deed of self-sacrifice and love that has thrilled our whole community. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. THE MARTYR OF HUPING The Life Story of William Anson Reimert Missionary in China Pah BY ALLEN R. BARTHOLOMEW, D.D. SECRETARY BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1925 Press or Lyon & ARMOR PHILADELPHIA DEDICATED TO THE FRIENDS OF HUPING CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ph if) e 4 PE NAISON pel! ahh My ie ’ ent ‘ | hae = me ST a XIII. ALVis AVa DO's 5 XVII. XVIII. CONTENTS PAGE UndereWariGloudsincsnccnis slciea' as 15 Ther Martyr) LUrong cis coisa sievete 21 In the Days of His Youth....... 27 Influence Upon Class Mates..... 33 ZEAL TOD MISSIONS iy. a eee ees 39 Appointment by the Board..... 45 AS ani iGVanPelise yi: mice tee wes 51 The Conversion of Ma..:...... 59 Our House Boat Trip to Shen- CHO WLU cite eis eteheiaslaisin.s 67 His Work in Huping Christian COL eme Purr erent ae WNL A Pioneer in Primary School Work vanes eeu eters hrm 79 Trips to the Day Schools as Told Dympimselb yeas cuca spy stakes 85 An Appreciation by Dr. Daniel Burehalter is fens vest teneie ats 93 ThevPragion Death ay ise van aise + Oo Pea ee AI IOS cle rs re ace lope taths tee 111 Tributes of Esteem............ 123 The Heroism of Missions....... 145 He Being Dead Yet Speaketh... 151 rey auth i i Ay th) Woke, ws NG pny mie ante as ‘ i bal J fh ey ary ab a om a ie ner ey ay aay with, 3 ae i pee Le Sane ) 5 ‘ ; j ae. , oe AR | ' ) | iG Mev ¢ | | | , | ' ‘Nd tt 4 jie, ti if PA im oe r, 7 al : ‘i ‘ : meat ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Rev. William Anson Reimert..... Frontispiece Chinese Men and Boys Sought Refuge in Mission, Compound 42. seen ae. 16 A Thousand Women and Children Found prielterand INOOn wine a7 eee rt le 17 At Captain Fetterolf’s Home, Collegeville, Pennsylyaninigghi so vere uae is weet 29 A Senior at Ursinus College............ 30 Ursinus Delegation at Northfield........ Al Class of 1898, Ursinus College........... 42 Pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Summit Hill, Fonnsvivaniag wi par eine oy. AT Grace, Columbiana, Ohio; St. Paul’s, Sum- MigstiilleCennsvlvania una wien As 48 First Sunday School at Yochow City..... 53 Missionary Reimert and Students in Train- ETD vee es eC aah epee ee een TUN ant 54 Evangelist Ma and Family............. 61 Two Confucian Scholars (Baptized by Mis- SlOnNaTyeheimery)imerrr est se he ae 62 Our Home for Thirty Days on Yuen River 69 On Shore, enroute to Shenchowfu....... 70 PAGE Students of Huping Christian College.... 77 Missionary Reimert and Huping Students. 78 Primary School at Lin Hsiang.......... 87 New Primary School Buildings at Yunchi. 88 Man! of Hunan) Provinces. eee ees 95 Chapel and Evangelist’s Home at Nieh Kia Shin! i ok OLE na evo eee ee em 96 East Gate of Huping Compound......... 101 Day of Funeral in Huping Chapel........ 102 Farewell Photograph to Missionary Reim- ert: with InsCripeionae sie ae ene 105 Memorial Tablet in‘ Huping College Chapel 106 His Son William and Pony; Camping in the Fallsoft Siege eemicer et. eee 113 At the Home of Dr. J. Albert Beam, Tif- fin, Ohio cctieer wap cae tee eran oe 114 The Grave of Missionary Reimert at Hup- TDA RMN MERA RS aay Ny dit) ees A Meo 125 Group of Friends at the Grave.......... 126 Decorating the, Grave. ve oars ee 153 Memorial Tablet in Central Theological seminary, Dayton; ,Oni0s es. eee 154 IN MEMORIAM WILLIAM ANSON REIMERT By WILLIAM E. Hoy, D. D. We are purer, better, for the man we loved so long; What he left us, still creative, surges in us strong. His the sight, the constant courage and assur- ing smile; Clear and far he saw the way how life is made worth while. When in trouble, came the people, knowing well his heart; Ever ready in disaster would he help impart; None too poor or lowly bounties from his hand to share; Came they trusting, for they loved him, gener- ous, true and fair. Up the valley, o’er the mountain roll’d the mut- tering thunder Of the broken armies, fierce, and frenzied with their plunder. Where to flee or where to hide, ah! who could see or choose? Pandemonium, or the senseless hordes of hell turned loose, Trembling women, frightened maidens, chil- dren at the gate, All are seeking well-known refuge to escape their fate. Oh! for them the gates are fastened, bright and safe the place; For there’s one to guard, to comfort with a smiling face. “Open! Open!” cried the leader of the looting band, “Not convenient!’ came the answer, “For on watch I stand.” Few the words and quick the action, while the bullet sped, On its mission bloody, and our valiant man lay dead. Rose the cry among the women and the children all, i Up to heaven high, the broken, thrilling, soul- ful call,— “As the Master died of old to free the world from sin, Pastor Reimert died for us, our safety here to win!” WILLIAM ANSON REIMERT HIS faithful servant of the Lord met a tragic death on Sunday, June 13, 1920, at the East Gate of the Lakeside compound of Huping Christian College, about four miles distant from Yochow City, Hunan, China. He had gone to the gate in order to prevent a squad of ruffian soldiers from gaining entrance and in the hope of protecting hundreds of Chinese women and children from their cruel outrages. They told the missionary, ‘We are hungry and want food,” and he replied, “I will get food for you, but cannot admit you to the compound.” Alas! the words had hardly been spoken before one of the bandits fired the fatal shot, and he fell an innocent victim at their fiendish feet. The untimely death of this true man of God made a profound impression upon the Chinese people. They knew that he had sacrificed his life to guard the women and girls from the brutalities of the wanton soldiers. His was the spirit of the Christian knight who is ever ready to die that others might live. Our martyr-missionary by his noble life and ghastly death is worthy to be held in grateful remem- brance by our Church, and well deserves the honorable title THE MARTYR OF HUPING. This is life to come, Which martyred men have made more glorious, For us who strive to follow. May I reach That purest heaven, be to other souls The cup of strength in some great agony, Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love, Beget the smiles that have no cruelty, Be the sweet presence of a good diffused, And in diffusion even more intense! So shall I join the choir invisible Whose music is the gladness of the World. GEORGE ELIoT. I UNDER WAR CLOUDS These have been dark days, and the future is not bright, but we believe God has been with us and we can go on with our task in full confidence that no mat- ter what may happen to us the cause we represent will be advanced, and out of all this confusion He will take honor unto Himself. J. ALBERT BEAM. es meta 9 at CHINESE MEN AND Boys Sougur REFUGE IN Mission ComMPpounp qoog GNV WALITHE GNNOT NaxaTIHD GNV NAWOM GNVSOOR,L V CHAPTER I UNDER WAR CLOUDS Se the rise of the Republic of China in the year 1911, the Province of Hunan has been the scene of many fierce encounters be- tween the military forces of the old and the new regime. It is very difficult for any outsider to unravel the present web of political intrigue, or to estimate the real strength of the parties struggling for power. That great statesman, John Hay, gave it as his conviction that “the storm centre of the world would gradually pass from the Balkans, from Constantinople, from the Persian Gulf, from India, to China,” and he further said, “whoever understands that mighty empire—socially, politically, economically, re- ligiously—has the key to the world politics for the next five centuries.” This is in full accord with a current writer who declares that “the Chinese question is the world question of the twentieth century.” No one can study the signs of the times without a deepening sense that the event most fraught with meaning for the rest of the world is the awakening of the Far East. Yochow City with a population of about fifty thousand is the gateway to Hunan. It is a strategic centre for the invasion of troops from 18 The Martyr of Huping the north and the south. Being near the great Yangtze River, which flows from west to east, and on the one railroad between north and south, it is easy of access. It is the bolt which locks the water gate of Hunan, so that no boat can enter or leave the province save with the permission of Yochow. It has always been a military centre. Previous to the Taiping rebel- lion there was kept here a great supply of arms—in the shape of long spears and tower muskets which the Taipings captured in the closing days of 1852, and arming their follow- ers with these they swept right down to Nan- king, taking every city en route with the first rush. “China,” said one of the most thoughtful men in that great nation long ago, “is athirst for leaders.” Her great difficulties at this moment may be traced to the principle of “balance of power.” The north and the south are in more or less of a dead-lock. The military leaders are all about equal in strength, and all seem to be naturally jealous of their powers and afraid of each other. To this unsettled condition must be traceable the frequent political uprisings and the marshalling of troops in centres like Yochow City and Shenchowfu. Our medical missionaries at both stations have been kept Under War Clouds 19 busy in recent years ministering to thousands of soldier patients. The fine quality of the work done by our brave workers is worthy of the highest praise. It must be evident that all such sudden and terrible invasions of enemy troops make life harder for the missionaries. Their homes are often places of sorrow and scenes of suffering because they afford refuge, advice and comfort to this great people in the midst of their own troubles. One of the cheering facts amid the warring factions is the widespread readiness to hear the Gospel. The turbulent life is more hopeful than the dead silence of bygone years. Tidings like these form a silver lining to the clouds of war: “The door stands wide open for evangelization of all kinds. There is great willingness to listen and less opposition than ever before.” II THE MARTYR THRONG Those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence, live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn For miserable aims that end with self. SHR ean iru To other souls The cup of strength in some great agony. GEORGE ELIOT. CHAPTER II THE MARTYR THRONG ‘THERE is a martyrdom of the spirit as well as of the body. Some Christians live the martyr’s life while others die the martyr’s death. Missionary Reimert lived a martyr for the faith and was one of those martyr spirits who bear constant testimony to the great truths, claims and demands of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The word “witness” as applied to the Heroes of the Faith, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, does not mean an onlooker, one who Sees, inspects and judges of human actions. It really means a “martyr,” one who bears wit- ness to the truth, testifies for Christ, and is ready to “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” During the past century—the great century of Foreign Missions—the noble army of mar- tyrs has been recruited almost entirely from among the missionary converts and from the missionaries who have died on heathen soil. The fifth seal in the Book of Revelation is in honor of martyrdom, and refers exclusively to “the souls of them that were slain.” This is the acme of loyalty; it is the last test of Sincerity ; 24 The Martyr of Huping it is the limit of sacrifice; and the crowning proof of stability. The roll call of martyrs has been increasing ever since the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Among the latest to answer the call was our own Missionary Reimert. It should not excite our wonder that Christian men and women must suffer martyrdom for Christ even in this modern missionary era. Times of heroism are generally times of terror, but the day never shines when this element is not at work. The early Christian martyrs have proved a valuable asset to Christianity and to the Christian Church of our day the heroism of the martyr-missionary will become a spiritual treasure, the value of which it would be diffi- cult to estimate. The martyr age of Christians never passes. It is with us all the time. Daily, men must make the supreme sacrifice for the Lord. Among no class of workers is the martyr-spirit more in evidence than in the hearts of the for- eign missionaries who have gone to labor in the hard and difficult places of the world. They are the real heroes in the ranks of human wel- fare toilers. After his return to the United States, Ambassador Elkus to Turkey praised the work of the American College workers in The Martyr Throng 25 Turkey, Armenia and other countries, and de- clared that “the missionaries who stuck to their posts were among the great heroes and heroines of the War.” And the secret of the heroic adventure in the life of the foreign mis- sionary is found in the words of St. Paul: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is the martyr mark engraven on the heart of every true missionary of the Cross. It is the daily program the herald of the Gospel adopts as the rule of his life and conduct. He follows the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, even unto Calvary. IT] IN THE DAYS OF HIS YOUTH Life is sweetest in the morning. When we are young, the flowers bloom most beautiful, the sun rises with richest splendor, our daily bread tastes best, sleep is precious and sorrow is least. Youth is the best of life; it is the background of manhood and the foundation of character. In youth we mix the colors which will either brighten or darken life’s setting sun. The child enters the world without any experience. Happy is the youth who is born in the bosom of a Christian home, and who lives his early years in the sunshine of the divine favor. At CAPTAIN FETTEROLE’S HOME, COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA A SENIoR AT URSINUS COLLEGE CHAPTER III IN THE DAYS OF HIS YOUTH NE of the first questions one asks when he sees a successful man is: ‘Where was he born?” The place of birth may not be as im- portant as the character of the parents and the spirit of the home. Our missionary was born in New Tripoli, Lehigh County, Pa., on Feb- ruary 7,1877. His parents were plain, honest, thrifty folk. They were lovers of the things that are pure and true and of good report. As is the habit of most people in rural communi- ties, the Reimerts were given to hard work, frugal meals, simple living and noble thinking. The home, the school and the church were the places that occupied their time and attention. It was life in the country, where the birds sing in the trees, the flowers bloom in the gardens and the brooks refresh the meadows. In this peaceful atmosphere and amid these quiet sur- roundings the boy grew up. How much such a heritage means to a growing child! What a hallowing influence to the man of mature years! As soon as the lad became of legal age he was sent to the country school house. He was an apt pupil, winsome in his manners, and be- 30 The Martyr of Huping came a favorite with the teachers. After re- ceiving a public school education, and attending the Keystone State Normal School, he taught for one year, at the same time studying pri- vately for entrance into college. In the fall of 1894 we find him a student at Ursinus College, a classmate of Dr. George Leslie Omwake, now President of the institution, and graduating with him in the year 1898. He took his Sem- inary course in the Ursinus School of Theology, then located in Philadelphia, and from which he was graduated in 1901. Dr. Omwake, on seeing the picture of the group of five students taken at Collegeville, related the following facts of interest: “During our senior year, five members of the Class of 98, of which Reimert was one, occupied rooms at the home of Captain H. H. Fetterolf on Main Street opposite the campus. This was the year of the Spanish American War. Captain Fet- terolf was a veteran of the Civil War and the whole family took a keen interest in military matters. Perhaps it was because of the at- mosphere that thus existed and because of the Captain’s frequent conversations with ‘his boys,’ that we young men became deeply inter- ested in the movements that led up to the fall of Havana and the surrender of the Spanish In the Days of His Youth 31 ET eT eae eT RO fleet in Manila Bay. At any rate, a good many hours were spent during those spring days in discussing the relative merits of battleships and generals. We knew the tonnage, the speed, the number of guns—their calibre and their range—of practically every vessel in the Amer- ican Navy, Reimert and his room-mate, Hun- sicker, being the authority on disputed points. It was on this porch that the plans were laid for the street parade in celebration of Dewey’s victory at Manila on May 1, 1898.” There was a fine blending in the life of young Reimert of the mental, moral and spiritual qualities. His intellectual attainments did not dwarf his growth in grace and truth. He was a child of faith in the home of his parents, and this childlike faith in the Lord kept him from drifting in the college and seminary. Early in his college career he came under the good in- fluence of a kind college mate, the Rev. George W. Kerstetter, to whom he made grateful ap- preciation in a letter a few months before sail- ing for China and from which we quote as fol- lows: “How clearly can I recall the beginning of the changed life in me. It began when you got me interested in Y. M. C. A. work. It began there. My interest in Foreign Missions I can 32 The Martyr of Huping also trace back to Northfield. Again it was you that got me to go there. My complete sur- render to the Lord’s will in regard to my going to a foreign field was brought about at the Student Volunteer Convention in Cleveland. Again it was you that at the last moment per- suaded me to go. How wonderfully the Lord has led me. But, George, you I feel and know were the instrument in bringing it all about. I shall always kindly and thankfully remember you for the part you have been playing in my religious life. Will you now continue that same influence by remembering me and my work, daily in your prayers that the Lord may use me mightily in His service in China? It will be a great encouragement to me to know that you are doing this.” IV INFLUENCE UPON CLASS MATES I live for those who love me, whose hearts are kind and true, For the heaven that smiles above me, and awaits my spirit too; For all human ties that bind me, for the task by God assigned me; For the bright hopes yet to find me and the good that I can do. G. LINNAEUS BANKS. CHAPTER IV INFLUENCE UPON CLASS MATES FEW men have left a finer or more wholesome impression by character and conduct upon faculty and students than did Mr. Reimert dur- ing the years he spent in Ursinus College and School of Theology. A score of graduates can rise up and testify, with his classmate, Rev. Asher R. Kepler, of China, “I owe a great deal to him, as it was through his influence that I offered myself for missionary service in China, and I am quite sure that I would not be here in China today had it not been for the deep Christian consecration which he always evi- denced, and his contagious enthusiasm for Mis- sions which he did not fail to impart to all those with whom he came in contact, in his college days.” Nowhere have I found so true and vivid a portrayal of the excellencies and activities of student Reimert as given in the communication by Mr. Kepler. From it I shall take the liberty to quote freely in this chapter. “It did not take me a very long time to dis- cover that in keenness of intellect and ability to master the courses of our curriculum, he was one of the leaders in the class.” He was a very 36 The Martyr of Huping ma human fellow, a good mixer, and very popular with all the boys. In fact, his versatility was remarkable. In spite of his lightness of weight he was one of the best men in the back field on the Varsity Football Team. He was man- ager of the baseball team during his senior year, and the manager of a boarding club for students during several seasons of his college course. All these varied activities did not de- tract from his deep religious life. His was a virile Christianity, which could be taken on the athletic field as well as to the prayer service. He loved good, harmless jokes, and would sometimes surprise one with his audacity. The story is told of the professor’s hat lying on the window sill and Mr. Reimert opening the win- dow and stealthily dropping the hat outside, just fastening it by the edge of the window sill, and quietly closing the window again. The dear old professor at the close of the recitation lost his temper hunting the hat, but no one would suspect that Mr. Reimert had been the perpetrator of the harmless escapade. Another story is told, a joke on Dr. James I. Good, Dean of the School of Theology. One day Mr. Reim- ert was smoking a cigar, which he rarely did, when the professor appeared in the room. Sniffing a bit, Dr. Good said, “I believe the gas Influence Upon Class Mates 37 jet is leaking.” Without betraying himseif in the least by a smile or word, Mr. Reimert re- plied, “Yes, I have noticed that the gas jet has been leaking lately, and I have been soaping it, but it does no good.” Of course, Mr. Reimert knew what the Doctor was driving at and the Doctor knew that Reimert knew. But his reply was so apt and well chosen that nothing more was said with regard to the matter. Mr. Kep- ler says: “It was in Seminary life in Philadel- phia, that I first came under the influence of his missionary enthusiasm, and in a short time, due to his untiring zeal our small Volunteer Band of three, grew into a group of nine or ten. He was then instrumental in organizing a Mis- sionary Band consisting of a quartet of Student Volunteers who did much to stir up missionary enthusiasm in the denominational churches in Philadelphia and vicinity.” Shortly after the death of our missionary, Rev. Charles A. Butz, another school mate, wrote: “Reimert was a beautiful character. In college and in the seminary he manifested a wonderful life. He was no angel, but he was a MAN. He was a man of faith, of consecra- tion, full of good works. I always felt that the Lord was preparing him for a noble work. The day came when his desires were realized. He 38 The Martyr of Huping ee E was called by the Board. He entered upon his work with an enthusiasm and a courage, a conviction and devotion that won for him a high place in the annals of Missions.” On March 8, 1901, the senior class of the Ursinus School of Theology sent a petition to the Board of Foreign Missions, setting forth the duty of the Church to obey the Master’s command to extend His kingdom over all the world, stressing the claims of China for imme- diate action and recommending the appoint- ment of Paul E. Keller and William A. Reimert, Student Volunteers, who were ready, willing and anxious to go to China, and pledging to give them their hearty co-operation and finan- cial support while on the foreign field. All these incidents reveal some of the outstanding characteristics in the student life of Mr. Reim- ert, his longing to do the will of the Master and his loyalty to his Church, his college and his friends. V ZEAL FOR MISSIONS “T heard Him call ‘Come follow,’ that was all. My gold grew dim, My soul went after Him. I rose and followed, that was all. Who would not follow if he heard His call?” URSINUS DELEGATION at NoRTHFIELD ADATION SANISUL) ‘868T 40 SSVTID CHAPTER V ZEAL FOR MISSIONS | By esaaete IN his college course the spirit of Missions had taken captive the soul of student Reimert. The books he read for past- time, the talks he had with missionary leaders, and his own heart-passion to proclaim the un- searchable riches of the Gospel to the heathen, made him eager to attend the Student Volunteer Convention at Cleveland. The college delegation to Northfield, where he came under the potent spell of Moody, and the Ecumenical Conference for Foreign Missions held in New York City in 1900 were the controlling influences in deepen- ing and determining his purpose to go to the foreign field. At that time our Church had not yet fully caught the vision of the ripening fields and the number of men sent to the field were few and far between. There had been a number of volunteers from his college and sem- inary, but until that time not one of them had been sent. This fact made a deep impression upon his mind, and he vowed that if his own Board of Foreign Missions could not send him, he would apply to another Board. That his zeal was not a momentary flame but a burning passion is proven by a statement 42 The Martyr of Huping made in an address by Dr. Good, “‘Before Mr. Reimert came under my instruction in the The- ological Seminary I had heard of his Christian activity and leadership in college. With his coming there came a new epoch into the Sem- inary. Theological Seminaries pass through epochs like other things, now critical, now evangelistic, now missionary. Before he came the theological students did not think much of Missions; perhaps because they felt that our Board at that time would not send them. But Reimert did not wait until the Board was ready. He began stirring up missions in the seminary. His concern was not the condition of the Church, nor of the Board, but of the condition of the lost souls in heathendom.” During the summer vacation of the year 1898, he in company with Rev. Carl G. Petri, made a tour of our churches in Eastern Pennsyl- vania, delivering a stereopticon lecture on “Japan,” in the hope of arousing an interest in the hearts of the members in the work of For- eign Missions. In his letter later offering him- self to the Board of Foreign Missions to go as a missionary to China, dated March 1, 1901, he gave the reasons why he should be sent. “‘Four years ago I was so moved by the needs of the heathen world and found the command of the Zeal for Missions 43 Master, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,’ so binding upon me that after earnest and prayerful considera- tion I volunteered to go as a foreign missionary upon the completion of my collegiate and sem- inary training. Since that time my desire to go where the harvest is ripest and where the reapers are fewest has grown into a longing that can only be satisfied by its realization. My preparation for the ministry was shaped with this end in view. Now my course is about com- pleted. In view of the present demanding needs, of the unexampled crisis, and unusual opportunity which the mission field presents, and of the urgent call of the various Missionary Boards for volunteers, J am ready to obey the Master’s command, ‘Go.’ I therefore offer my- self to your earnest consideration for an im- mediate appointment as a missionary to China under our beloved Church.” The Board did not immediately act on his application. Upon his graduation in 1901 he be- came pastor of St. Paul’s Reformed Church at Summit Hill, Pa., where he was simply wait- ing until the Board of his own Church could send him, and all the time that he was minister- ing to the spiritual needs of his home parish his hopes and desires were in China. That he 44 The Martyr of Huping was faithfully discharging the duties of the pastoral office may be seen from a letter to his warm friend, Kerstetter. “Now a few words about my work during the past year. I en- joyed my work very much. The people treated me fine and are bitterly opposed to my leaving. During the year we have organized a Junior Christian Endeavor Society with a present membership of 85; a Home Department of the Sunday School of 45; a Ladies’ Auxiliary of 60, and are now planning for a Woman’s Mis- sionary Society. During the last four months we added 20 new members to the Church and have a prospect of at least 5 or 6 more. These are some of the encouraging features. We feel that the Lord has used us to some extent among our people.” VI APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD God has a purpose of love for all men of all races. Through prophet and psalmist He called men to share in His purpose and to co-operate with Him. At length in the fullness of times His purpose took flesh in Jesus Christ, who lived and died that He might bring the whole world home to its Father. The missionary work of the Church is a continuation of that sending. In the love of God for all mankind is the inspiration and motive of Missions. HucH MARTIN. PASTOR OF Sr. Paur’s CHurcH, SUMMIT 1 06) 5p PENNSYLVANIA VINVATASNNGd “ITI, LINWOAS ‘S,1TOoVd ‘1S OIHO ‘VNVISWNTOD ‘AOVUY) CHAPTER VI APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD jE) AUS ENS the Board of Foreign Mis- sions has had to delay the appointment of very worthy applicants for service, not because the need did not exist for more workers, but simply for lack of funds to support them. Grace Church, Columbiana, Ohio, had gener- ously pledged $800 per annum toward the sal- ary of a single missionary to China, but this amount would not provide the outfit and travel expenses for a married man. The Board, how- ever, elected Mr. Reimert at a meeting held on January 3, 1902, as our first evangelistic mis- sionary to China. In order that the new missionary might know the people, and they learn to appreciate his fine character, arrangements were made for the missionary-elect to spend the month of May with his kind supporters. In the letter written at Columbiana, May 8, 1902, from which a quotation has already been given, he pours out his soul with rejoicing. “The desire and ambi- tion of my life has at last been realized. The Lord opened the way for me to go to China and I am ready to go. He wants me to go and I am unwilling to stay. The longer I am here in 48 The Martyr of Huping this country the more anxious I am to go to the forefront of the battle line in dark and heathen China. Isn’t it a great privilege to be counted worthy to engage in such a responsible work! How I long to see the effect that the Gospel has upon those who hear it for the first time. A Baptist preacher told me the other day that our . people here in America are becoming ‘gospel hardened.’ Isn’t it true? What a joy, then, to go where no foundation is laid. I deeply real- ize what kind of a life it requires to be success- ful in the gospel ministry and especially in the foreign field. My own prayer and desire is that I may have no will or desire apart from Christ’s, and that my life may be entirely con- formed to His plan for me.” The Farewell Service was held in Zion Re- formed Church, Allentown, Pa., in the presence of a large and sympathetic audience on October 28, 1902. Shortly thereafter the missionary and his wife, with their three-months-old baby, William, left for China, arriving at Yochow City on Christmas Day. I shall never forget my emotions when I bade them farewell at the Broad Street Station in Philadelphia. Mr. Reimert immediately set to work on the study of the Chinese language, and in the course of Appointment by the Board 49 a few years became very proficient in the use of the spoken language. That Mr. Reimert was a chosen vessel of the Lord may be seen from excerpts taken from a letter after his first year’s labors in China. “Truly the Lord is greatly using us among the Chinese of Yochow. He has set such an open door before us, that we behold our privilege with awe and wonder. We are too few to un- dertake the trust which He has committed to us. Dr. Hoy is overworked. Dr. Beam is so crowded with dispensary work that he can de- vote little time to the study of the language. I am giving every forenoon to teaching in the Boys’ School. The greater part of the after- noon has to be given to the building of our house. The carpenters and masons have never built a foreign house before and are so crude and unskillful in their workmanship that I have to plan and oversee every detail of the work. This gives me very little time for the study of this difficult language which I so much need to help in the evangelistic work. But the door is still open. Souls are awaiting. The Lord is calling. Let us be true to our trust. Send us the much needed help. Meanwhile, we toil on and hope and pray.” { ) | We Nidal aie iat % eRe tenes a i 5, fe M; tane | carn ) i, ot ORY i yp. AS, } Fil Wad bb | | 4 ae | RY yur Coe VSR i Vil AS AN EVANGELIST I have not seen, I may not see, My hopes for man that form in fact, But God will give the victory In due time; in that faith I act. And he who sees the future sure, The baffling present may endure, And bless, meanwhile, the unseen Hand that leads The heart’s desire beyond the halting step of deeds. JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. First SUNDAY ScHoon at Yocuow Curry MIssIONARY REIMERT AND STUDENTS IN TRAINING CHAPTER VII AS AN EVANGELIST BY the time the new church at Yochow City was ready for dedication in 1904, Mis- sionary Reimert had become a real force in the work of the Mission. In the Sunday School and in the exercise of preaching he was now on his feet as a worker, and the outlook for evangelistic work at Yochow grew brighter. His deep influence as a preacher was due to his own faithful witness to his Lord and Master. There never was any uncertain note in his preaching. He knew in whom he believed, and he was determined to know no one among the Chinese save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. With Paul he could say: “Unto me is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” In order to strengthen the evangelistic work, he early organized a class of student evangel- ists. To their training he devoted his time and talents. The four men who qualified in that class are now doing splendid work. Among this number is the well-known Evangelist Ma, of whose conversion Rey. Paul E. Keller wrote so vividly to Dr. William E. Hoy. (See Chap- ter VIII.) There was a very personal relation 54 The Martyr of Huping with all these students, and he tried to lead them into vital communion with their Saviour through the prayer-life. A few of these stu- dents, however, eventually fell into sin, and this spiritual lapse on the part of these men was a keen disappointment to the faithful teacher. Unfortunately, he laid their spiritual failure upon himself, as though he were to blame. He felt that he fell short of his ability as their guide in holy things. He thought if he had done what he should they would not have fallen. How human was this experience in the life of this man of God. His sensitive soul shrank from taking any credit unto him- self. Despite the failings of a few of his stu- dents, we see now what a rich blessing the training of these Christian workers became to the building up of the kingdom of grace and truth in the Province of Hunan. Brother Reim- ert saw that in the Chinese themselves, as Christian preachers and leaders, lay the great- est hope of the ultimate and completest form of evangelization in China. This is now a common policy among the Christian workers in China. As an Evangelist 55 e6a“xeoas#?05BaS—saooOQoOoOoOoo eo His Last Report as an Evangelist LAKESIDE, August 23, 1913. To the Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the U. 8. DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN: The longer a servant is in the employ of his master, the better will he be able to enter into his master’s plans; the more efficient service will it be possible for him to render; and the more pleasure will he take in his work. It is with such feelings that I review the past year. The work has been more interesting, the bless- ings larger, and the fellowship and acquaint- ance with the Master closer than ever before. The work has been as varied as the work of the Evangelistic Department always is: preaching, teaching native evangelists, in- structing inquirers, itinerating into outlying districts, personal and _ pastoral work, street chapel work, and entertaining native visitors and guests. The last of which is not the least in its demands upon one’s time and energies. In addition to teaching the training class for the native ministry, I have tried, this summer, to be the architect, head-mason, head carpen- ter, and head coolie boss in the erection of our dwelling at Lakeside. A foreigner, after being in China for a number of years, usually prides 56 The Martyr of Huping himself on the progress he has made in his knowledge of Chinese human nature. But it re- quires only the supervision of the erection of a new building to get rid of that delusion. One becomes convinced that either Chinese charac- teristics instead of being a matter of constancy, change periodically and individually or most foreigners are too dense and stupid to grasp the intricacies of the Chinese mind and char- acter. The older the missionary grows in years, the more he grows in the grace of patience and for- pearance. But after he has gone through the process of a building operation, he really won- ders whether he ever possessed this grace at. all or whether he has only lost it in the time of his greatest need. Of one thing he is certain. He longs to get away from things Chinese for a while to have a Season of heart search and quiet, close communion with his Lord to again possess that mind which was also in Christ Jesus and to regain his own self respect. The experiences of the past year have been as varied as the work itself—some pleasant and some sad; some hopeful and others disappoint- ing; some helpful and many discouraging. But for all the work and experiences I feel truly As an Evangelist 57 grateful. They have been necessary for larger service. At my request, I was transferred to the Lake- side schools, at the end of the year. I have rec- ognized for years the lack of qualities necessary for a successful missionary in the evangelistic work. One of the chief requisites for a worker in this department is to be able to easily and readily make friends of the Chinese outside of the church and whom one meets only occasion- ally. This I failed to do and consider my work in this respect a failure. On the other hand, I found my life counted for more with men with whom I came into daily fellowship and associa- tion. The work of the past which is at all satis- factory to me has been in the training and teaching of men for the native ministry and the winning of my personal teachers for Christ. Four Chinese evangelists are in the church doing excellent work, preaching and witnessing by their lives, works and words. Five more have partially completed their course. Three personal teachers of high literary standing, Confucian scholars, joined the church. One has since died in the faith, one is at the head of the Department of Chinese Literature in the Girls’ School, and one is a teacher in one of our day schools. 58 The Martyr of Huping nil In view of these facts, I] am convinced that I shall be able to render larger service by engag- ing in such work where I can give my best to those who will be in daily touch with me. The Mission has kindly concurred in my request. With this report, my work as one of your evan- gelistic missionaries ceases. In the fall, I will begin my new work as a teacher in the Lake- side Boys’ School. I shall continue to preach and itinerate at such times and places as oppor- tunities offer. With the highest regards for my co-laborer, Mr. Keller, with whom the work of the past eight years has been a constant source of pleas- ure and helpfulness to me, and with deep appreciation of the many kindnesses, confidence and forbearance of my fellow missionaries in Yochow City, I make room for a man better fitted for that work. With high anticipation for greater usefulness, I enter upon my new work. Pleading your earnest, continued prayers, I remain very sincerely, W. A. REIMERT. VIII THE CONVERSION OF MA Great as is the Good News of a Saviour of Mankind, it is not sufficient for the world Christian merely to spread this message of Jesus. He must embody the message in his own life and in society. Jesus taught that all life must proceed from within outward. The individual must first prove that he has a great Gospel by what it can do in his own heart. He must be a liv- ing witness to God’s power to save from sin day by day prosaic, practical realms. No man will listen to words if the character and daily walk behind the words belie the speaker’s testimony. Emerson was right when he said, “What you are speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say.” DANIEL JOHNSON FLEMING. EVANGELIST MA AND FAMILY Two CONFUCIAN SCHOLARS (BaptTizEp BY MISSIONARY REIMERT ) CHAPTER VIII THE CONVERSION OF MA As related by Rev. Paul E. Keller [HE story of the conversion of Evangelist Ma proves the power of God unto salva- tion and the patience of the missionary with a soul in the grip of the opium demon. We give in full the stirring description as related by our Missionary Keller: “Dear Dr. Hoy:— “You know he was a cup-mender or travel- ing blacksmith before he came to us. So you can describe how these fellows carrying their shop and materials on their shoulders came ambling or loping down the street. Then tell something about his appearance, unkempt, un- washed, and with the typical opium-fiend look in his face and eyes. He takes a peek into the open street chapel door because he hears some one talking quite loud in there. As he looks in, our dear Bill invites him to sit down a while and listen to the preaching. Tell how pressed the Chinese are for work. But Bill’s sweet face made him forget his profits and he sat a while. Then he came back repeatedly, in fact came quite regularly. Bill induced him to come to 62 The Martyr of Huping Sunday services, and then the inquirers’ class. You can fill these things in for yourself. I am just handing you the bare facts. After a while Bill said to him, ‘You know God wants us to be pure.’ He responded, ‘Yes, without as well as within.’ He was referring to his opium habit. Well, he promised Bill to try to break it off. After a few days he saw him again, and he con- fessed that he had lost out in the fight. But then, with a fire in his eye, he said, ‘But I am going to quit it if I die in the attempt. For I would rather die in the attempt to break it off than live on this way.’ Bill was encouraging him in his faith, when all of a sudden he asked Bill if he would not help him in the attempt. Of course Bill would. Ma wanted him to give him permission to bring his ‘pukai’ (bed) up on Bill’s veranda, so as to be away from the tempting fumes ‘which as soon as they rose to his nose irresistibly made him smoke again.’ And he wanted to be near someone who could help him because of spiritual sympathy and power, for Ma had a world of confidence in Bill. He took his dirty ‘pukai’ upon Bill’s ve- randa. Soon the fight was on. It was a mighty battle with one of the fiercest appetites ever saddling itself on man. He could not eat. There he lay in agony, rolling, moaning, and groan- The Conversion of Ma 63 ing, as nearly as I can remember, for six days. Then the fight was over. He had said he would rather die in the attempt than live on that way, and he almost succeeded in dying. Now he gradually began to pick up in strength, taking only a little food at first, more gradually, for you know fiends do not each much, they get stimulation through their smoking. You ought to say something about the fact that opium smoking cannot be broken off ordinarily with- out drugs and careful treatment. Well, Ma was happy. He kept shy of the street for a while lest he fall back into the habit before he gained sufficient strength, and then after a while he went to his old trade again. On this last point I am not absolutely certain any more. I forget whether he had begun preaching (testifying) in the street chapel before this or not. Any- way, Ma, Tang, and some others, had Bill to let them say something in the street chapel occasionally. By and by, these men, who came almost daily to the chapel and preached fer- vently, and who were all studying faithfully in the inquirers’ class, were seen to be men of God’s own choosing, and it will not do for man to reject whom God has chosen. Then we asked them whether they would not like to study the doctrine more deeply or thoroughly. They all 64 The Martyr of Huping SE nnn expressed the fear that they were unfit for such work, but consented to study if we wanted them to. So as to help them, for it took them away from their employment, we gave them 3000 ($1.50) cash a month. They studied in the afternoon, but they preached out what they had learned the next morning. So it went on for about a year. Then we asked them to give up their work entirely and devote themselves to the work of preaching entirely. (There is something wrong here in the sequence, but it has slipped my mind, and you will have to see Bill about it.) After not less than two years they were baptized. The class continued, as you know, and received a fairly stiff training for preaching. Then after about four years Ma and two others, having completed their course, devoted themselves entirely to the work of preaching. It was not till this spring that they were ordained as evangelists. Of them all I think Ma is the most fervent and zealous. Rough and ready in a way, but with a real pas- sion for the salvation of his countrymen. He at once brought in his fellow smoker Wang, and has been very active among Buddhist priests. He is always ready to preach (and for indeter- minable periods, too) because he knows what Christ can do for a poor devil like he was. But The Conversion of Ma 65 of the fights: we had till we had those men nailed down, their pride partly subdued, and loyalty to the Master set above loyalty to self and family, that alone the angels know. In fact, it is what has driven Bill into your work. He thought it was defects in himself instead of in the men that caused these outbreaks. Poor boy did not think of the defeat of the Master Him- self with one of His own disciples. But hu- manly speaking, it was Bill and what he stood for and was that brought him around. God always works through men, otherwise there were no use of our coming. HAUS Eye io Wants f ‘ACN : Live veal Bi vat brtye Hie ‘ti ae mt ale Pi ty Lites ka Ai i IX OUR HOUSE BOAT TRIP TO SHENCHOWFU Voyagers we all must be. During the trip from Yochow to Shenchow we were taught anew that life’s voyage is beset with troubles “as the sparks fly up- ward.” Truly the experiences of travel remind one that “there is sorrow as on the sea.” Today the sea may be calm, and the sky without a cloud, but no one can tell when the cloudless sky will be overcast with signs of coming woe. We never felt so near to the Saviour, as on our houseboat trip, and so dependent upon the soul’s reliable chart—the Word of God—as we were sailing along the coast with which we were not familiar, and amid the roaring rapids that might have meant an angry grave. Whether we live on land or sea, there is never a time when we can afford to dis- pense with the Bible, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. With it at hand we can sing: “Begone unbelief, my Saviour is near, And for my relief will surely appear. By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform, With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.” Our Home ror Tutrty Days on YUEN RIVER ro SHENCHOWFU NROUTE ‘ 1D ON StTroRE CHAPTER IX OuR HOUSE BOAT TRIP TO SHENCHOWFU UR two stations in the Province of Hunan are about 350 miles apart. The only mode of travel between these stations is by boat on Tungting Lake and the Yuen River. It was during our visit to China in 1910 that Mrs. Bartholomew and I made this ever-memorable trip traveling all the way from Yochow City to Shenchowfu by houseboat, requiring 16 days going and 14 days returning, a total of 30 days. We were most fortunate in having as our genial companions, Rev. William A. Reimert, Miss Alice E. Traub and Miss Anna C. Kanne, now Mrs. E. E. Steffen, of Des Moines, Iowa, to whom, together with Mrs. Bartholomew, credit is due for the larger portion of this interesting experience. The only other Christian in the boat, so far as we knew, was Mr. Ma, the faith- ful Chinese evangelist whom Mr. Reimert had carried through the terrible struggle of opium habit. It was a bright and beautiful day, on January 24, when we left Yochow City, and as we were passing our Boys’ School at Lakeside, now Huping Christian College, “The Hoys” waved a sheet in the air and flashed a mirror in the sunlight to bid us farewell. The house- 70 The Martyr of Huping boat had been made as comfortable as possible, but strong winds were frequently delaying our progress. For a whole day we were storm-tied at a place which Mr. Reimert told us was “‘Lo Go,” but we named it—“No Go.”’ On account of contrary winds and the shallow condition of the river in many places it was evident that patience must not cease to be a virtue on this tedious journey. For courtesy, cheer and com- panionship one could not have had a more able escort than Mr. Reimert. On many occasions his excellent command of the Chinese language was remarkable. In his conversations with the Laoban and his helpers he was ever kind and gentle, yet firm and dignified, gaining the com- plete respect of each and all. Profanity and rage were in daily use among the boatmen, and especially the pilot. Fortunately, Mr. Reimert was the only American in the party who knew just what was being said. Each evening he would gather the helpers aboard to conduct a Chinese service with them. The welfare of those whom he came to serve was ever upper- most in his mind. On Sundays we had services among ourselves. Many a long evening was spent in interesting and helpful discussions on life with its joys and problems. One night Brother Reimert and I sat up until after mid- Our House Boat Trip 71 night relating our experiences, and I am sure the houseboat, for the first time, heard stories in our vernacular tongue. Often for exercise, and to while away the time, some of our party would go on shore and walk, for frequently a stroll on the river bank would take one along as rapidly as the boat. One day Mr. Ma was out walking, and passing by a deserted temple he found a wooden idol amid the ruins. When he came on board the boat again he asked Mr. Reimert to give me the old idol as a souvenir. That night, while the boat was anchored in the harbor, a soldier thief stole Mr. Ma’s best suit of clothing and watch. Upon hearing of this the next morning, I inquired if our Chinese brother might feel any superstition about hav- ing taken the idol. I was assured that the Chinaman was so truly a faithful Christian that he would in no way associate the two circumstances. I often wonder what impressions our party made upon the captain, his family who accom- panied him, and the whole crew, who were rather a rough and ignorant crowd. The only one who seemed to be religious was the cap- tain’s aged mother; she burnt incense at all the perilous places. It was amusing to see each day at the end of the boat the offering of a be The Martyr of Huping roasted fat pig to the river gods. The best por- tion of the pig was eaten by the family and crew, so that towards the end of our trip only the head and tail were brought forward in sac- rifice. Not unlike the kind of offerings even some Christians bring to the God of their sal- vation. When we were passing through the rapids, amid treacherous rocks, the old Chinese grandmother became afraid to ride in the boat in Christian company. With gestures she plead with us to get off and walk, but Mr. Reimert smiled kindly at her and assured her the Chris- tians had no fears. The poor old woman then got off herself, taking her little grandson, and trudging along through several inches of deep mud rather than risk going with Christians. The boat went safely on. One morning all of us were in great peril, and only the agility of mind and body which Mr. Reimert exercised saved the lives doubt- less of all on board. There was a strong wind, the boat lurched and the little stove in the liv- ing and dining room upset. One of the party cried out “the stove has turned over,” and Mr. Reimert lost no time in rushing to the scene, raised the stove, put out the fire, and saved the lives of all. Mrs. Steffen has a number of books which still bear the marks of the fire, and the Our House Boat Trip 73 S3379.0>0OwosSS———SS floor was badly damaged. After disembarking, it was discovered that just under the stove in the lower part of the boat were stored a num- ber of cans with kerosene. The owner knew he could smuggle the oil, for we were flying the Stars and Stripes. The celebration of Mr. Reimert’s birthday on February 7th was a pleasant relaxation from the strain of passing through the rapids. Miss Traub served candy and cake on this occasion. Being away from his own home circle, we could see that this observance was deeply appre- ciated. How glad we all were upon our safe arrival at Shenchowfu after sixteen days of travel! All the dangers and deprivations along the way were forgotten in the hearty welcomes of our dear missionaries. We spent a most helpful week in seeing the work at the station so well begun and ably carried on. Praise and prayer occupied much of our time. Helpful confer- ences were held with our own missionaries, and blessed fellowships with the members of the Evangelical Mission. The return trip was made with little excitement, except an abun- dance of noise—shooting of fire crackers, beat- ing of gongs and other hilarities, due to the last day of the Chinese New Year’s celebra- 74 The Martyr of Huping aoe tions, which usually last two weeks. We spent two days at Changteh with the Logan and Owen families, the latter now being one of our missionaries at Yochow City. In referring to our houseboat trip it was not my intention to enter into its varied experi- ences or to write fully of our work at Shen- chowfu, but simply to bring to view the wise, helpful and courageous conduct of the man with whom we spent thirty of the most thrilling and soul-inspiring days in a lifetime. X HIS WORK IN HUPING CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Educational work is now one of the most important branches of missionary endeavor... The power of edu- cation as an ally of the Gospel is clearly recognized. Not seldom does the school precede the Church and pave the way for its establishment. In many cases individuals are reached and families won by the preach- ing of the Gospel by means of the school who would be unapproachable by more direct means. And always the school quickly follows the Gospel in heathen lands. In short, it is seen to be a part of the Gospel idea of salvation that the mind should be rescued from dark- ness and the body from physical evil as the heart from sin. Wherever Christianity pure and undefiled goes, there the work of education goes with it. GEORGE HENRY HUBBARD. STUDENTS OF Huprina Crris?Ttan Con SENTGALG YNIdOH ONV Lac IY AUVNOISSTIAL CHAPTER X His Work IN HUPING CHRISTIAN COLLEGE A TREADY in 1908, before the school had found a permanent home at Lakeside, Mr. Reimert began his helpful work among the boys and young men. It was by him that the first Y. M. C. A. was organized, thereby blend- ing Christian character and learning. During the year 1905, while Dr. Hoy was home on fur- lough, Mr. Reimert had full charge of the school. He did not, however, become fully iden- tified with the institution until the fall of 1913. His entering upon the educational work at Lakeside soon made manifest his unique influ- ence upon the boys and young men. He easily gained a leadership in the activities of the Y. M. C. A. and in the Sunday School work of the institution. He was often seen at his best near the close of the session of the Sunday School, when in his own way he brought home to the pupils the leading thought of the day’s lesson. A former student, who is now out in the business world, recently called to mind the hold that Mr. Reimert exercised on him in his religious experience. Mr. Reimert taught Genera] History and the Bible in the College, with a few classes in Eng. 78 The Martyr of Huping oom lish. Everyone that knew him must say that he was most diligent in his preparation for the class-room. He was a conscientious and thoughtful teacher, one who gave every oppor- tunity to the students to do their best, and he was never satisfied with anything less. He never had any difficulty in the matter of disci- pline in the class-room, for when a teacher has the knack of keeping his boys engaged in hon- est study work there is no time for nonsense. When, however, on rare occasion there was need for stern dealing with a recreant student he never failed to administer proper punish- ment. We are told that there is very little oceasion for severe punishment of students, due largely to the standards set by Mr. Reimert, and which the student body has adopted for their guidance in College. There can be no doubt but the Reimert name will go down to generations among the students of Huping Christian College. They now observe the anni- versary of his death by assembling in the chapel that morning, and after a hymn and a prayer, the whole school marches to the grave, where the Scriptures are read, re- marks made, hymns sung and prayers offered. Through these annual services rings the one clear note—‘“He died for us.” XI A PIONEER IN PRIMARY SCHOOL WORK Oh! yet a few short years of useful life And all will be complete. stacirs ATL Leas What we have loved Others will love and we will teach them how; Instruct them how the mind of man becomes A thousand times more beautiful than the earth On which he dwells. WorRDSWORTH. CHAPTER XI A PIONEER IN PRIMARY SCHOOL WORK NE of the great achievements in the mis- sionary career of Mr. Reimert was the planting of a number of Primary Schools in the outstations. This branch of our work was the creation of his own fertile brain. The func- tion of the Primary School is to serve as a feeder for the central college, an entering wedge into new outstations, and a direct evan- gelizing agency. This was by no means an easy task, visiting these schools in the most remote places, during the inclement weather and bad roads of winter, and during the heat of sum- mer was often most trying. There were many serious and difficult situations to face, but in spite of them he wrote, “The week-end visita- tion of these schools, in spite of many discour- aging problems, is an unfailing source of pleasure, and I hope mutual profit.”” Under his wise and patient direction substantial progress was made, so that at the present time there are 15 schools, with about 815 pupils, in charge of that capable superintendent, Rev. Edwin A. Beck. It was difficult to get up a course of in- struction to fit the need and conditions of China and to meet at the same time the require- 82 The Martyr of Huping ne ments of the Lakeside Schools, for which these schools are feeders. A unified course of study was adopted with a view to develop the heart, the affections and the mind, as well as the senses. Contrary to the general opinion of the Chinese mind and character, such studies as drawing, music, nature studies and geography have without exception become the most popu- lar courses of all the schools. Special stress is laid on physical culture. Calisthenics and plays are a part of the daily program. Association football is the most popular game of all. The last hour is usually given to this sport. It is the happiest hour of the day, and especially is this true of Chinese boys, who have no opportunity for any games in their narrow and restricted lives. The zest and spirit with which they enter into all games is one of the hopeful signs of young China. I am convinced that good, strongly-organized and well-conducted elementary schools are one of the special needs in the development of China. Religious instruction is one of the prominent features of these schools. Daily religious serv- ices under the charge of a Christian teacher or an evangelist are conducted before school-room work begins. Two periods a week of Bible in: struction are a part of the program. In every Primary School Work 83 school some of the boys study the Catechism under the evangelist, in preparation for bap- tism and church membership. We are begin- ning to reap the benefits of this system of Primary Schools throughout our Yochow field. They have become important feeders to Huping Christian College. Their influence is also no- ticed in the evangelistic work. They are not only great formative factors in the lives and characters of the boys, but they create an inter- est in the community in the work and life of the church. Their present great success may be traceable to the efficient supervision of our dear Missionary Reimert, whose name has become a household word in hundreds of Chinese homes in the Yochow district. He was the right man in the right place. XII TRIPS TO THE DAY SCHOOLS AS TOLD BY HIMSELF We need never expect that we shall feel adequate for our task. This sense of weakness keeps one dependent on God’s power; it keeps one humble, it develops tact through increasing sensitiveness to atmosphere; it is a constant reminder that any source or power is of God alone. Fortunate will it be for us if in all our preparation for service we learn this lesson well and have a simple, childlike faith in the truth of what Paul learned, “My power is made perfect in weakness,” and are able to respond in calm trust: ‘Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses .. .- for when I am weak then am I strong.” BERTHA CONDE. PRIMARY ScHooL aT Lin Hstanc THONONX LY SONIGTING IOOHOS AUVWIYG MAN CHAPTER XII TRIPS TO THE DAY SCHOOLS AS TOLD BY HIMSELF HILE home on furlough, we had the pleasure of entertaining the Secretary of the Board, Dr. Bartholomew, in our home for a day. It was arranged to drive him to Slatington, from New Tripoli, a country vil- lage, a distance of eleven miles. We had the choice of two horses—one my father’s, young, fast, spirited, but rather dangerous on account of his taking fright at automobiles. Another— my brother-in-law’s horse, old, gentle, and slow. I asked the Doctor which he preferred; he answered, “Don’t you have one in between?” I am in a similar position with regard to day school visitation. Our nine day schools are situated in a semi- circle, with the Lakeside Schools at the begin- ning of the radius. These schools are twenty, twenty-five, thirty and fifty miles from Lake- side. Week-ends are given to visitation and inspection. The trips are made on horseback. I have an old horse, long in the service of our Mission. She first carried Mr. Heinrichsohn over the hills and mountains of the Shenchow field, and during the last five years has been 88 The Martyr of Huping Dee my faithful charger on all visits over the entire Yochow district. She is getting too old to do the work alone, so I raised a mule. She, how- ever, is only two and a half years old, and is too frisky and dangerous to use alone. Like Dr. Bartholomew, I often wish I had a horse “in between.” I always take the two on a trip and ride each half way. Two weeks ago I started out at daylight, riding “Lassie,” the old horse, with the mule running loose. When I came to a bay which had to be crossed on a ferry boat, the young mule, “Gigi,” was too wild and full of life to be persuaded to get on the boat. After wasting the greater part of an hour, we had to go without her. The trip was long and hard on old Lassie. A week later, in going to another station, I decided to make sure of Gigi the mule, and rode her first, with Lassie running loose. I had gone about two miles when Lassie turned tail and started for home. Nothing could persuade her to come along. I asked the horse coolie what was the matter—she had never done that before. He said, ‘““You always ride Lassie first. Today you rode the mule first. This offended Lassie—I noticed it from the time we started. She stood it as long as she could, but her heart got too sore and she went home.” Trips to the Day Schools 89 So I had a long, difficult trip on a wild young mule. When we got to our destination, I don’t know which was more tired, the mule or the rider. Part of the trip was made along the railway track. On the way home, we came to a high bridge, consisting of railroad ties laid on iron girders, over a deep culvert. I wanted to stop Gigi, get off and lead her down over the em- bankment and across a stone bridge, but she took the bit in her teeth, and began to gallop across the bridge. Fearing she would break her own neck and mine in the bargain, I threw myself off, with nothing more serious happen- ing than a sprained back for myself and skinned legs for the mule—for she naturally soon stepped between the ties. We had a hard time getting her off the bridge. To show her appreciation, she gave a vicious kick at me. Fortunately I was just out of her reach. I look forward to the time when Gigi will get more mule sense, and then I will have a horse “in between.” This last trip was one of twenty-five miles over rather difficult roads. Our appetite was fairly well aroused by the time we reached our destination. Unfortunately the good evangelist did not know of our coming, and it took another 90 The Martyr of Huping two hours to get a meal ready. When we were finally called to the guest room there were a half dozen steaming, savory dishes awaiting us. But a guest had preceded us. The family cat was on the middle of the table, gorging her- self with the choicest viands. Tabby was unceremoniously extracted from among the dishes, and we set-to with such good will that I am afraid we forgot all about the unbidden guest, and by the time we had finished with that meal, there was hardly enough left to appease even the appetite of the family cat. These Day Schools can and should become strong evangelizing forces in our mission work. They furnish an entering wedge into the hearts and homes of the parents. That they are an evangelizing as well as an educative force is shown by the fact that seven of the teachers and a number of the boys have become Chris- tians since their connection with these schools. There are now catechetical classes in each school, morning worship and Bible study are a part of the daily program. These schools are much appreciated. Last year at Nieh Kia Shi, the people subscribed enough money to fit up two rooms in the building used by the evange- listic department. Desks, benches, blackboards Trips to the Day Schools 91 and table were all furnished by the people of the town. This year at Yang Lou Szi, enough money has been subscribed to erect a suitable building for a day school. The land has already been bought, and we have been asked to pre- pare a plan for the building and its furnish- ings. At Yuin Chi, the superintendent of twenty-seven government schools throughout the district has his two sons in our school, and frequently comes himself and helps to teach in order to learn how to conduct schools properly. He is now an inquirer and brings his town school to our Sunday services. He says our boys are so much better behaved and show so much more respect for their parents than the boys in his school. This got him interested in the Christian religion. These are some of the encouraging things of our work. There are, however, other fea- tures which are decidedly discouraging. One is the lack of proper buildings. We are cramped in most places into some part of the evange- listic department buildings, which that depart- ment is kind enough to give us. These build- ings are, for the most part, poor, unsuitable, unsanitary and overcrowded. Our great need in the Yochow field is chapel funds to properly 92 The Martyr of Huping house our church and school work in the out- stations. The Chinese will help, but they can- not do it alone. XII] AN APPRECIATION BY DR. DANIEL BURGHALTER I served in a great cause: I served without heroism, without virtue, and with no promise of success, with no near destination of treasure; I was on the march, I contained that which persevered me to ends unseen, no footsore night relaxed my pace; There was only the press of invisible hands, only gray- brown eyes of invitation, Only my franchised heart to fuel the fires to suns. TRAUBEL. i CHANG HANKOW CHANGSHA A B/HENGCHOW Map or HuNAN PROVINCE HIHS VI¥ HaIN LV AWOH S,LSVIADNVAQ ONY ‘IddVHO CHAPTER XIII AN APPRECIATION BY DR. DANIEL BURGHALTER HILE itinerating in December of 1919 for six days, in company with Brother Reimert, among the outstations of our Mission at Yochow, China, I was greatly impressed with the high esteem in which he was held by all classes of the native population. For a num- ber of years he had made his regular rounds among these outlying cities and villages as the superintendent of the schools established in these places by our Yochow Station. As a re- sult he was well-known by all the people. The Christian Chinese teachers showed their regard by their manifest pleasure in his presence, and moved about with him in their schools as with a brother and a friend, as well as with a co- worker. The schoolboys’ faces beamed with a loving and profoundly respectful light of joy as he stepped into their school-room. They seemed to take pride in reviewing their studies before him, and on the playground they played with a zest and a zeal which could only have been inspired by the sympathetic interest of a loving older brother. Usually as we entered the school a motley crowd of men and boys from the crowded 96 The Martyr of Huping streets of these Chinese cities would follow us as far as the door, pushing and thronging the entrance, with the little boys of the street in front. These were often ragged, dirty, covered with sores, some half-blind, starved, pale, piti- able little fragments of humanity peering eagerly and wistfully through the door at the well-dressed, uniformed, well-fed, happy school- boys within. After a little while some boy ‘among them, a little bolder than the rest, see- ing Mr. Reimert, would bolt directly for him, the whole group of a dozen or more following. They seized his hands, his coat, anything and anywhere that they could grab a hold, and from that time until we would leave again he had his escort wherever he went about the school buildings. All the while he would talk to them, sometimes he would sit on some bench or chair, and not only those boys, but older men from the street, would come in and crowd around him, all of them—young and old—listening with the most rapt attention to his voice, often asking questions. From village to village, and from city to city, this scene would repeat itself day after day for six days. The rest of our party would have our ponies saddled, ready to mount and ride to the next station—Mr. Reimert was still in the midst of An Appreciation 97 his crowd of boys and men. We would call re- peatedly, ‘Come, we must go or we will be late for the next appointment.” He would say, “Yes, yes, I am coming!” and so finally he would lit- erally tear himself loose from this eager street crowd, and with bows and wavings and cries of the whole school and all the street population he would ride on out with us to the next sta- tion, only to have the same scenes repeated over and over. This aroused my greatest curiosity, and so after a number of days I asked him one night while we were retiring, “What do all these boys and these men from the streets want when they crowd around you so and won’t let you go?” This was his answer, with glistening eyes and trembling voice he said, “Why this is the thing that nearly breaks my heart.” I said, “What thing? What do they want?” “They want to come into our schools. The boys beg to come, and the old men, who are their fathers, or even grandfathers, and their uncles, make me all kinds of offers to take their boys in.” I said, “Why don’t you do it?” “That’s why my heart is breaking; we can’t. We haven’t the room nor the money, nor the teachers.” I said further to him, “Do they know that you are teaching Christianity?” “Yes, and they even 98 The Martyr of Huping tell me that they want us to teach them the new doctrine.” In China it is a very common experience to refer to Christianity as the “new doctrine or teaching.” When six months later I learned that a ban- dit’s bullet had pierced this same heart which was breaking for the boys of the crowded streets of China, do you wonder that the first and most vivid picture of all my visit to China was dear Reimert, with clinging street urchins and their eager fathers begging him to take them into his schools and to teach them the new doctrine? EE Es XIV THE TRAGIC DEATH Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. I give a share of my soul to the world where my course is run. I know that another shall finish the task I must leave undone. I know that no flower, no flint was in vain on the path I trod. As one looks on a face through a window, through life I looked on God. Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR. Hast Gare OF Huptnc COMPOUND AL IN HuUPING CHAPEL R N DAY oF Ft CHAPTER XIV THE TRAGIC DEATH OR more than a week prior to the fatal end- ing of this noble life, Yochow City had been the scene of wild confusion. The inhabit- ants were expecting trouble, but not in the way it eventually came. Villainous looking soldiers had taken possession of the city. Looting be- came general. So lawless were these soldiers and so absolutely without discipline that hun- dreds of men, women and children sought refuge in the Mission compound in the city. Little fear was felt for the safety of our mis- sionaries at Lakeside, but the outlook for our workers in the city was very serious. To add to the gravity of the situation, Chang Chin Yao, the military Governor of Hunan, arrived on the Saturday previous with his bandit soldiers. He should have been a protection to the people, but he gave no heed to their pitiful appeals. Coming now to the events at Lakeside, the scene of the awful tragedy, the first alarm was felt on Saturday morning when a barge bear- ing a great number of soldiers was moored at the bund outside the college compound. The soldiers were put on shore and some of the Mis- 102 The Martyr of Huping sion workers went out to enquire what it meant. When told that they were anxious to get to the city, a party of soldiers were given permission to pass through the compound to the main road on the other side. This they did in an orderly manner, but it seems evident that it gave them an opportunity to see the defense- less state of the college compound which led to the later outrage. On Sunday morning Missionary Reimert vis- ited our Ziemer Memorial Girls’ School in the city, and at his suggestion the school gate was closed as a precaution against soldiers coming in, and it was kept closed. As he was leaving the city to return to his home at Lakeside, he told Dr. Adams, “If you need me, send for me.” That same afternoon they did need him, for our city compound was then in great danger, but the messenger sent to ask for help found the Lakeside compound infested with soldiers, and Mr. Reimert lay dead at the East Gate. Shortly after his return to Lakeside on en- tering his home, several students and the gate keeper came to tell him that the soldiers were coming and hundreds of women and children had already fled for safety into the compound. The last words spoken to his dear wife were, “Mother, I must go and see what the conditions The Tragic Death 103 are in the compound.” To the question of Mrs. Hoy, “What shall we do with the women to pro- tect them from the soldiers?” Mr. Reimert re- plied, “Take them over to the big chapel.’”’ So far as is known, the women and children found a safe retreat in the house of the Lord. In com- pany with Prof. George Bachman, Mr. Reimert went to the East Gate of the college compound to assist the people and to satisfy, if possible, the hunger of stray soldiers of the Seventh Division. A few people were shot and Mr. Bachman did what he could to give them med- ical aid. He then came to Mr. Reimert, who was cordially greeting a group of eight soldiers outside the gate. They said they were hungry, but it was evident that these soldiers did not want food, but “loot,” and entrance into the compound. Mr. Reimert told them, “You can- not come in here,” because many of the women were terror-stricken. On hearing this a soldier, a few feet outside the gate, fired the fatal shot, piercing the heart, and the body instantly sank to the ground. While Mr. Bachman stood on one side of the gate, a soldier put his gun through the slats of the gate and held it to his breast. The brave missionary said, ‘““You can shoot if you want me.” The shot was fired, but Mr. Bachman miraculously escaped by getting 104 The Martyr of Huping behind the heavy gate. “Where is the other foreigner?” “Where is the other foreigner?” rent the air. The gate was then broken down, and the captain, who was the first to reach the body of Missionary Reimert, took his watch, glasses and hat. Through the tall grass Mr. Bachman made his escape to the other side of the compound, where he found Mrs. Reimert, Margaret Reimert and Mrs. Hoy in hiding near the chapel, and with the help of Prof. Horace R. Lequear placed them in the deep grass for protection. Attempts to rescue the body of Mr. Reimert were futile, as the soldiers opened fire as soon as any one went in that direction. Later in the day, amid the shadows of the evening, the body was carried out from under the gate by Mr. Bachman, with the help of students, into the Reimert home. There the body was prepared for burial as could best be done under the dis- tressing circumstances. A man in the country gave his own coffin for the repose of the mortal remains of this servant of God. Funeral ser- vices were held in the Lakeside Chapel on Tuesday at 4 P. M. Mrs. Reimert and her daughter were not present, for they, with the other women of the station, had been taken for safety to Kuling. Burial took place in the little gasy ns eee . FAREWELL PHOTOGRAPH TO MISSIONARY REIMERT WITH INSCRIPTION (Hope that you will take this photo as a token forever) MEMORIAL TABLET IN HUPING COLLEGE CHAPEL The Tragic Death 105 cemetery on the college campus, where repose the precious remains of our three other work- ers, S. Emma Ziemer, T. Edmund Winter and James A. Laubach. Since all our missionaries, with the excep- tion of a few men who were present at the last sad rites, had fled for their lives to Hankow, how appropriate are the words: “So with none but strangers to do for him, He was laid away to his long rest— No, not strangers, but the Chinese and for- eigners, He so greatly loved.” The Chinese Loved Him On September 20, 1920, a memorial service was held in the Lakeside chapel in charge of the Chinese. A host of friends of the sainted missionary vied with one another in paying tribute to his worth as a faithful teacher and true friend. Students and teachers of Huping Christian College gave evidence of their pro- found respect for the memory of their slain brother. They dwelt on the life and energy that he inspired in their lives. Rev. Edwin A. Beck at the time wrote a graphic account of this memorial service. ‘‘Unemotional people, these Chinese! Are they? There was Mr. 106 The Martyr of Huping Hsiung, Master of Ceremonies, so filled with emotion that he could hardly begin the service. And Evangelist Tang, in the midst of his tribute, found it necessary to keep us in sus- pense till he gained control of himself again. At the grave Evangelist Ma nearly broke down in his prayer! Expressions from the heart! They spoke of him as a teacher and friend; they spoke of his strenuous physical life; of his exposures; of his enthusiasm; but most of all they spoke of his patience with them when they were slow and stupid; and the fervor of his prayer life. The Lakeside chapel was taken over by stu- dents and teachers (Chinese) and elaborately decorated in approved Chinese fashion. Many scrolls were prepared by friends and acquaint- ances and presented reverential tokens; the walls of the chapel were full of them—fifty pairs,—expressions of beautiful and exalted sentiment. A large portrait was unveiled, and a bronze tablet engraved. A unique feature of the ser- vice was the presentation of souvenir photo- graphs of the deceased to each guest; and it was interesting to see how these were taken and prized. The chapel altar was decorated with the The Tragic Death 107 legend, “SACRIFICE”; and in the memorial addresses the dominant theme was, “He gave his life for us.”’ Not only in the chapel at Lake- side is this sentiment expressed; but in town and surrounding country as well, you hear it said, “His death saved us from the brutality of those cruel soldiers.” And for this there seems to be foundation; for those brutal sol- diers appeared frightened at their own excesses and hurried on, thus saving many people the bitterness of death and violence.” Memorial Tablet In order to perpetuate the memory of Mis- sionary Reimert, a bronze tablet was hung on the wall of the school chapel, written in Chinese, setting forth his fine ability, his high character and his personal attractiveness. Mr. Li Si made a translation in English of the in- scription, and sent a copy to Mrs. Reimert “to be of some comfort to your heart.” We give it in its original form as follows: Epitaph of Rev. William A. Reimert Rev. William A. Reimert served China faithfully for eighteen years. He loved the Chinese people with all his heart and will. To Dr. Hoy he was the right and left 108 The Martyr of Huping hand, helping in all things. Through the establishment of various day schools he won an undying fame. For the best interest of the Church, he exerted his utmost, And overcame the unavoidable difficul- ties by his unceasing effort. When Dr. Hoy was called back to Amer- ica, He was chosen the acting principal of the school in China. Ah! the defeated soldiers so wild and fierce, That the neighboring people came to him for relief. Down to the gate Mr. Reimert moved to receive them all, He talked with the bandits so gently that it almost softened their wild hearts. Suddenly he was mortally wounded for refusing to open the gate. The head murderer ran away and the rest trembled after his breathing his last. To this effect the relief society in town, Composing nearly all the whole popula- tion of the city, began to pay special heed to the deserted soldiers. When the contention ended, everyone, The Tragic Death 109 sound and safe, returned to their respect- ive homes. Their salvation is largely and truly due to Mr. Reimert’s ‘“Self-Sacrifice.” They honor him and keep him as vivid remembrance for life. This daring feat he performed has been fully described in a plate of glittering gold; This True Christian Spirit he embodied, will be highly appreciated and be borne in the Chinese mind to the end of the world. Memorial Services in the Homeland Memorial services were held in the Ebenezer Church, New Tripoli, Pa., his home congrega- tion, on Sunday morning, October 10, 1920, and on the same day in the afternoon in Zion Church, Allentown, Pa., where the farewell service had been held eighteen years before. On October 24, a similar service was held in St. Paul’s Church, Summit Hill, Pa., his first and only charge in the homeland. At all these services large congregations were in attend- ance, attesting by their presence, their esteem for the missionary and sympathy for the widow and her four orphan children. The Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions based his ad- 110 The Martyr of Huping dress on the words in Revelation 14: 4, “These are they which follow the Lamb whith- ersoever He goeth.” XV THES PAMIPY TIES NOT DIVIDED “H’en for the dead, I will not bind My soul to grief:— Death cannot long divide, For is it not as though the rose, that Climbed my garden wall, Had blossomed on the other side? Death doth hide, But not divide! Thou art but on Christ’s other side. Thou art with Christ and Christ with me, In Him united still we are.” His Son, WILLIAM, AND Pony CAMPING IN THE FALL oF 1918 OIHO ‘Nidal, ‘Nvag IaaTy “f “Ad 40 HNOF, AHL LV CHAPTER XV THE FAMILY TIES NE of the great spiritual influences on the mission field is the home of the mission- ary. It is a constant object lesson to the people among whom he lives and labors. Of little help is the missionary who does not by his home life exemplify the love and life and light of Jesus. Human life finds its first and best culture in the Christian home. Nowhere does the Christ- ian count for so much as in the family where the habits, the tastes, the aspirations and the conscience of the race are determined for time and eternity. In the nature of the case the family ties are closer on the mission field than they would be even in the homeland. The chil- dren at an early age enter into family prob- lems with growing sympathy and intelligence. It is a frequent occurrence that the children of missionaries give evidence of more maturity of thought than the children of similar age in the homeland. This is due to the fact that the children often have no other associates than their parents and the other workers at the sta- tion. This experience is told in a most touching manner in the letters that follow of the hus- band to the wife, the father to the son, the 114 The Martyr of Huping ooo widow to me, and more especially in the touch- ing letter to me from the elder son William.- Letter to His Wife Yocuow, CHINA, Aug. 15, 1905. MY DEAR WIFE: This is William’s birthday. How I wish I could celebrate the day with you! What a big boy we are having and how rich we are! He has been many a blessing and joy to us in these three years. His babyhood and these few years of his life have been of inestimable value to us in the comfort, peace and happiness they have brought to us. He is living our lives over for us. How many of his innocent childish ways and capers remind us and take us back to our own tender years of childhood, to a time of which we may remember little or nothing except the stories that are told of us by par- ents and friends; stories that are not always to our credit. And yet what innocence, guile- lessness, and sincerity, does William remind us of in our early years. In our riper years how full of selfishness, hypocrisy, insincerity, and guilt we are. Could we not almost wish to be transported once more to a time of his years so full of enthusiasm, life, and sweetness! Not that we would have more years but fuller years The Family Ties 115 to live, fuller of service and blessing to others and fuller of satisfaction to ourselves because of our added lessons, experiences, recollections, and visions. But even in our fixed conditions and period of life, what a revelation his little life is daily to us of what God intends all His children to be, large and small. Not only are we put into this world pure and innocent and lovely, but if we would follow out His will and purposes, we would remain pure and lovely and innocent, all our days. May William’s birthday lead us to reflection and meditation and may it be an inspiration to us to be truer to ourselves, truer to others, and truer to our FATHER whose dear little children we are. Affectionately yours, WILL. Letter to His Son LAKESIDE, Aug. 14, 1913. MY DEAR SON: Happy birthday! It seems only a few weeks ago since I wrote your last birthday letter. You are surely growing into a man very fast. Eleven years is a good age. These years will mean more to you than any others in your life. Things that happen during the next few years 116 The Martyr of Huping you will remember forever, while most events afterwards you will forget. The next few years are the years of habit formation, too. What you train yourself to do and be in the next few years, you will do and be the rest of your life. You are a good boy and we are proud of you. Mother writes some very nice things about you this summer. That’s fine. I should like to be with you today. But one of the hardest lessons in life to learn is that we can’t always get what we want or do what we like. I have had a very hard time to learn that lesson. I learned it after much trouble and annoyance to my friends and myself. But I think I have learned it pretty well. Have you ever noticed that some of the hard- est lessons in life to learn are the most import- ant? Well, they usually are, but it pays to learn them well. Now, my son, I would like you to remember just one thing from the time you are 11 years old until you are five times eleven. It is this,— Try with all your might to get what you want honestly; but always be satisfied and happy with what you can get. That is a pretty big lesson for a boy of eleven to learn. It will take The Family Ties 117 you several years to learn it, perhaps many— but remember it. Your dog Fritz is a mischievous long-legged rascal. He and Jack are great friends. When- ever I am about and don’t pay any attention to him he nips me in the legs—just a tiny bit to let me understand that he is there. We clipped all the dogs. His tail looked like a worm curled over his back when we got through with him. He was outside the gate and got into a fight yesterday. Jack rushed out and helped him. They soon came back happy, having completely licked their enemy—a long haired black and white dog. I can’t imagine what you want with a wolf’s eye lantern. There are no wolves on Kuling. I will send it and the racket with Mr. Lequear. My love to you, your mother, brother and sisters, FATHER. Letter from Mrs. Reimert TIFFIN, OHIO, August, 1920. DEAR DR. BARTHOLOMEW: We arrived here safely on Monday night. We had a good voyage across the Pacific. Our trip across the continent was very hot and dusty. It was a great joy to find William waiting 118 The Martyr of Huping for us here, but what a different home coming from what we had anticipated. Words fail to express our great loss and grief. I dare hardly think of the scenes of that dreadful day at Lakeside, but our dear Heavenly Father has been so near to me during it all and given me wonderful strength day by day. What a com- fort to know that His grace is sufficient at all times. How gently He leads and provides if we just follow His leading and fully trust Him. It is beautiful to know that we are all under His great care and keeping and that all is right that seems most wrong, if it be His sweet will. William told me that you so kindly offered to come to see me, so we are not planning to stop at Philadelphia, but go straight to our relatives at Wanamaker. We expect to arrive there on Saturday evening. I shall be glad to see you any time after Sunday that you will find it convenient to come. If possible please let me know when you are coming. I had such a good rest here at Beams’. It seems like home to be with them. Thank you so much for your kindness by giving William this great pleasure of meeting us here. It meant so much to me. ‘The Family Ties 119 The children are such a great comfort to me I don’t know what I should do without them. Kindest regards from all to Mrs. Bartholo- mew and yourself. Very cordially, Mary A. REIMERT. Letter from His Son William I always called him “Dad,” not “Father,” not “Pop,” just “Dad.” And that expresses better than anything else could the relation that ex- isted between us. Isolated as we were from the many contacts the average American boy makes with those of his own age, we most naturally grew to know and understand a great deal of each other. He was my boyhood pal. It was Dad who taught me to ride, to swim, to play tennis, to shoot quickly and accurately. He was the hero of my boyish mind; and the more I reflect on those happy boyhood days, the more satisfied I am that he was my hero. What a pal he was! Never too tired to refuse a race on horse back or a game of tennis, only to sit into the night making up for the time he lost “playing with his boys.” I never think of those days without thinking of him; for he was the center of all the carefree activities that filled every hour, 120 The Martyr of Huping When my brother and I went away to school, one of the things we looked forward to the most was the occasional letter from Dad—full of his delightful humor, excellent advice; and when we needed it, firm and impressive rebuke. I have those letters to this day, and I still read them with the same feeling of reverence and respect that I felt as a boy of thirteen. It is my firm belief that the secret of his suc- cess with the boys with whom he worked lay in his deep understanding of a boy’s mind and his mental complexes. Never will I forget how he sided with me against mother for that first pair of long trousers, and how cleverly he help- ed us overcome her objections to swimming in the deep waters of Tung Ting Lake. His was the boy’s heart, and at those times I imagine he traveled back on memory’s path to the days when he too had boyish problems to solve. I shall always think of him as “my Dad,” for that is how I knew him last and best. I shali always cherish those days of glorious fellow- ship in our home and at play, more particularly the days when he permitted me to accompany him on his trips to the day schools. It seems like yesterday that I rode by his side under the open sky and learned from the lips of the finest man in my youthful ken of the ways of men; The Family Ties 121 the great world of which I knew so little; the problems that would face me, and how he want- ed me to face them. My greatest regret is that I could not know my father as I grew older and my problems more puzzling. But he has been with me al- ways, and, if in the short span of my existence, I have done anything well, done anything noble or kind for my fellow man, it is because of the inspiration of his unseen presence. The memory of our parting on the muddy waters of Woosung harbor still remains clear. He on one side of the gang plank and I on the other, waving good-bye, both swallowing hard the great lump that rose in each throat. Both trying to smile bravely through the tears, and both anxious, even then, for the meeting that was planned two years hence. Our meeting has been long and sadly delay- ed. I look forward to it as anxiously as I did seven years ago. And when it does take place it will be the glorious meeting of a boy and his Dad, long separated. There are but two things I ask for this life of mine. The one, that I may in a measure live his life of service; the other, that some day I too may be the “Dad” my father was. 4 a ny if Ube | j they XVI TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM AN ELEGAIC SONNET To THE REV. WILLIAM A. REIMERT Missionary to China, Martyred June 13, 1920 (Read by his classmate, William M. Rife, Carlisle, Pa., on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Class of ’98 at Ursinus Alumni Dinner, June 9, 1923.) For Lehigh’s gentle youth we bow the head; For him, a dauntless spirit, wells the tear, United Christendom the story hear And know of him, a famed alumnus, sped By Oriental heathen hate that bred His murder foul and violent. The leer Of yellow infidel, and frenzied jeer And devil thirst for pillage struck him dead. Immortal Son, Ursinus’ Martyr, sleep! A son of God, your consecrated all You gave; responded to the Gospel’s call; In far Yochow God’s altar built. A guest Of memory today, the vigil keep O’er us. Inspire and challenge, thou, our best. THE GRAV EK OF MISSIONARY REIME > 7 1. A T HUPING CHAPTER XVI TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM An Undying Work Begun It certainly will ever be a great inspiration to me to have been a friend and associate of Missionary Reimert. What an undying work Mr. Reimert has begun!—KARL H. BECK. A Blow to All of Us It is a terrible blow which has come to our Mission and to us all personally, for Mr. Reim- ert was the well-beloved, kind, helpful friend of all of us. Mrs. Reimert is wonderfully brave. She has shown a most beautiful spirit which is truly an example to us all, but she needs our prayers very much.—MARION P. FIROR. He Gave His Life for Others So many of the Chinese think that Mr. Reimert’s death was the means of saving the rest of us, and this may be true, for had this not occurred at the very beginning of the trouble the slaughter might have been whole- sale. A friend writes to me that they were speaking of him as ‘God’s good man,’ and, like the Good Shepherd, he was ever giving his life for the sheep—even to the end.—DR. WILLIAM F. ADAMS. 126 The Martyr of Huping Like the Saviour He Loved A few weeks after his untimely martyrdom, one of his old students came to me with tears in his eyes and said: ‘Mr. Reimert by his death saved thousands at Yochow.’ Upon asking what he meant, he replied, ‘Why, if Mr. Reim- ert had not been killed, the American gunboats would not have come to port, and had not the American gunboats arrived when they did, thousands of people in Yochow would have been massacred by the retreating northern forces.’ In thus saving others at the expense of his own life, he was like the Saviour he loved, who died that we might live.—REV. ASHER R. KEPLER. A Challenge to the Young China will never be the same to us as before his martyrdom. It will be dearer to us and richer to us because his blood was spilled for us there. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. How many more of our young people will his martyr death call into the foreign field? When the missionaries, fifty years ago, died like flies in Africa, for every one that died there were several ready to go. And that has always been true in the history of missions. Reimert’s death is a challenge to the young Tributes of Esteem 127 people of our own Church.—DrR. JAMES I. GOOD. He Lived His Religion A man who lived his religion as did our Mr. Reimert will never be forgotten by Chinese or foreigners.—ANNA KANNE STEFFEN. He Died to Protect Others I have not all the details of the Lakeside attack. It will take some time for me to gather all the facts. One thing is clear—Brother Reimert’s death has made a profound impres- sion upon the Chinese and God will bless this. They, the Chinese, say that Brother Reimert laid down his life to protect the women and girls from the brutalities of the wanton sol- diers. The spirit of Christian knighthood is not dead. Let us honor this glorious sacrifice by nobler service on our part. Mrs. Reimert is brave; but, O Lord, her heart is sore, and so is mine.—DR. WILLIAM E. Hoy. A Stupendous Loss Along with our fellow-missionaries we feel keenly the personal loss we have sustained in the sudden taking away of our esteemed co- worker, Rev. W. A. Reimert. His companion- ship on many a trying trip to the outstations 128 The Martyr of Huping meant much to us and his wise counsel and sound advice have helped and encouraged us in many a difficult situation. The work of our Mission has sustained a stupendous loss, and we can but pray that God will make use of this tragic occurrence to further, in some way, the cause of His Kingdom.—REv. F. K. HEINRICH- SOHN. The Mystery of His Untimely End A wonderful life has come to a close. A herald of the cross, a hero of the faith has laid down his life! The love of Christ had con- strained him to answer the call—‘Who will go?’ —‘I will go.’ Surely he has accomplished a great work. Truly he has seen and witnessed great transitions in that land of possibilities. The desire of his soul has been realized. He hoped to launch a great enterprise. He has helped to open the door and today there is the ‘open door’ whereof we should be glad and thankful. Truly we believe that he should have remained longer to see the fruits of his labors and still further the work so nobly begun! But why was he cut down in the prime of life? Why was the young Galilean cut down in the prime of life? Speak, thou hidden Mystery! ‘What I do now ye know not but ye shall know, Tributes of Esteem 129 understand, hereafter.’ Do we know? Surely! deep, unfathomable are the mysteries of divine grace and love. I believe, Brother Bartholo- mew, that out of this great event (dare we say misfortune?) will come a rich harvest that will bring riches to many lives. I see the hand of God directing and shaping the destiny of Em- pires, of lives and of His Kingdom.—REv. CHARLES A. BUTZ. Our Missionary Martyr From The Outlook of Missions June 13, 1920, will always be remembered as a fatal day for our China Mission. It was the day when cruel plunderers invaded the Lake- side compound, and shot dead our dear brother, Rev. William A. Reimert, one of our most de- voted missionaries. They were soldiers, who did these foul deeds, ruffians of the worst type. As we think of what our Mission is doing, and the spirit in which our missionaries are living among the Chinese, we are led to pray for the murderers: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Only a code message has thus far been re- ceived from Dr. William F. Adams, Secretary of the China Mission. We should receive letters by the middle of July. There is every reason to hope that all the other missionaries are safe. 130 The Martyr of Huping Missionary Reimert has left a record that any Christian worker may well covet. He was by nature and by grace endowed for the great service that he rendered to His Lord and the Church. Of a quiet, gentle spirit, he won the hearts of all who came in contact with him. Beloved by the people for his devotion to them, esteemed by his co-workers for his fine sense of fair play, and mourned by a host of friends, such is the inscription that will ever adorn the name of William A. Reimert, a Christian mar- tyr to the cause of truth and righteousness in China. The Church Bows in Sorrow From the Reformed Church Messenger The sad news in Dr. Bartholomew’s state- ment, with the appealing pictures of our dear friend who paid the last full measure of devo- tion to the greatest of causes, and his bereaved family, bring home to the Church with tragic intensity the genuine sacrifices of our mission- ary heroes and heroines on the far-flung battle line of the Kingdom. It is the fine flower of our faith that these men and women of God are willing, if need be, to die at the post of duty. No soldiers in the trenches will walk more unflinchingly than they the path of “peril, Tributes of Hsteem Poe toil and pain.” Do we remember often enough in our prayers those so far away from home who stand on the frontiers of the world for Christ? We cannot believe that the peril in Hunan will be more than temporary and sporadic, such as must ever be considered probable under un- settled conditions in a war-torn world. But whatever the peril, others will volunteer to carry the torch that falls from the hands of our martyrs. The work must go on. We thank God for such a life as that of Wil- liam A. Reimert. He was a great missionary, and he has rendered a service that will live for- ever. Let us keep very tenderly in our hearts these days the dear wife and children of our slain brother. May they have in abundant measure the peace of God in their great grief! Death Loves a Shining Mark From a Letter to Mrs. Reimert Words fail me to tell you how sad of heart I have been ever since the distressing news came to hand of the tragic death of dear Brother Reimert. I cannot pour out my soul to you in words. I rejoice to know that the Lord has given you abundant grace to bear up under this great sorrow and to be able to tell me that you ean fully trust Him. This certainly shows a 132 The Martyr of Huping beautiful Christian spirit, and the mind of a servant of Christ who by experience has been taught that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Long ago I heard it said, “Death loves a shining mark.” He surely found that mark in the one who gave up his life at the gate while on guard for the safety of the women and chil- dren within the compound. I need not tell you of my great love and high esteem for your dear husband. Let me extend to you and your dear children and all your loved ones, my deepest sympathy in this new bereavement that has befallen you. May the Lord comfort you, sus- tain you and defend you in every time of need. God is our refuge and strength and He will not forsake His faithful children.—SECRETARY BARTHOLOMEW. An Appreciation Action of the China Mission When, on the 18th of June, 1920, Northern soldiers, during their retreat before the South- ern forces, made a cowardly attack upon our people and property of Huping College, Yochow City, Hunan, China, and foully murdered the Rev. William A. Reimert, they inflicted upon his family, the Reformed Church in the United States, our Board of Foreign Missions and on Tributes of Esteem 138 the China Mission a great loss. If death brings us this painful consciousness of loss, does it not mean that before this brother could be lost he had to be possessed? In his family life as hus- band and father, as son and brother, he was indeed not his own but belonged, body and soul, mind and spirit, to those who were the constant object of his solicitous care, his watchful and ungrudging labor, and his reassuring affection and forethought. To these we can say that the promises of our Lord help us to point them to the law of spiritual life and growth that loss is turned into the imperishable riches of our faith in eternal life through the Resurrection and the Life. At school Brother Reimert was also the pos- session of others. He was an earnest student, the joy of his teachers, the hope of his college and seminary. He was the center of a bright circle of college friends, who to this day re- member him out of the fullness of what he un- consciously imparted unto them of fair visions and noble purposes. In 1902, Dr. James I. Good wrote to the President of our China Mis- sion as follows: “In mental and spiritual en- dowments and in leadership among his fellows he stands to the front of my pupils.” We may say that among his school friends he made 1384 The Martyr of Huping ideals realizable that apart from him would never have been dreamed of, and by doing this he enhanced in the men he touched the value of life. To his large circle of friends among the laity and ministry of the Reformed Church in the United States, to our Board of Foreign Mis- sions and to the Prayer Circle by whom he was so faithfully supported the news of his murder came with the sense of an impoverishing rob- bery. To these we may say, that however they may conceive death, it belongs to those suffer- ings by which Christians learn obedience, and are made more fit for God. Here in China, among the Chinese and in the China Mission of the Reformed Church in the United States the loss we have sustained brings out into bold relief the worth of our social and personal possessions in our departed brother. Teacher, preacher, friend, more than brother to some of the older, father and guide to many a Chinese lad or youth, a lover of truth, a sin- cere and humble follower of Jesus Christ, ever striving to visualize the real spiritual presence of God in a remarkable gift of prayer, the Rev. William A. Reimert will always belong to the Chinese. The families centering in the dynamic circle of the Day Schools which his rich person- Tributes of Esteem 135 ality vitalized will never lose the vision and in- spiration of that manhood splendid. The pupils and teachers of those Day Schools, and the faculty and students of Huping College will never let go their firm hold on the quickening principles instilled by his presence and untir- ing service. The China Mission in general and the Yochow Station in particular will ever cherish the rich inheritance of his personality and companionship. A safe and wise guide in his grasp of the fundamentals of missions he brought to us undying influences to make our lives and service more worth while individually and collectively. We know not now the full lesson of his re- moval from us, but we will learn it step by step. The Chinese say that in his self-sacrifice for the safety and honor of the women and girls he saved thousands. To live or to die for others, we know not which is best. However, in the combination of these two forms of high service have we not the best that can be said of any man? What more can a man do or be or give? God help us to learn our task. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM EDWIN Hoy, ALICE E. TRAUB, GEORGE RANDOLPH SNYDER, Committee. 136 The Martyr of Huping His Last Words to Dr. Hoy And now we must bow in grief and in resig- nation of soul when we refer to the murder of Rev. William A. Reimert by Northern soldiers on June 13, 1920. As one of the men in the office of the Associated Mission Treasurers in Shanghai said to me, “It is one of those inscrut- able experiences of life that impel us forward rather than hinder us.” A kind and genial friend, a real brother in Christ Jesus, a safe counsellor, a man of fervent spirit, of remark- able gifts of prayer, an inspiration to others, a most excellent guide of boys and young men, a sincere follower of Jesus Christ, a lover of truth, alive to God and to the best that may be found in men,—a manly man, a Godly man, has been taken from us. And how? He died for others. He was thinking not of self; he gave himself to save the honor of women and girls from the brute force and lust of undisciplined soldiers. The whole world heard the news by cable message. When the whole world truly appreciates the motive of his self-sacrifice, men will place new value on the human race that can produce such a spirit and such an act of devotion to the highest, holiest ideal of man- hood. Thank God for such a type of man in Christ Jesus. Thousands of Chinese say, “He Tributes of Esteem 137 gave himself for us;’”’ and so he did. Shall we not all strive to honor his memory by a larger, greater, better Huping College? The last words he spoke to me as he bade me good-bye on leav- ing for the United States last March were, “The Greater Huping College!” Yes, strong brother of my soul, the greater Huping College will hold thy name in loving, inspiring remem- brance forever. Love’s Strength Standeth in Life’s Sacrifice By His Associate, Rev. J. W. Owen In St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, the visitor will see a tablet with an inscription which runs something as follows: “If you seek for a me- morial to Christopher Wren, look around;’ and what a wonderful memorial that stately building is to that great man. One of the great- est missionaries of the Reformed Church—Rev. W. A. Reimert has been called to higher ser- vice, and we who knew him so well and worked with him in China would say: Do you seek for a memorial to Brother Reimert? LOOK AROUND. Look around, not at buildings of stone, brick, or wood,—though he has some fine buildings of these materials to his credit—but at the lives of men, women and children who have been 138 The Martyr of Huping won for Christ and His Kingdom through his life and service. Look around through the large Yochow District and see the large number of Day Schools he has organized and supervised, the bright faces of hundreds of boys to whom he has brought life and hope. Look around, and see an undying memorial in the most trust- worthy Evangelists we have in our China field. Men who were won for Christ in those hard early years, who were taught and trained by years of patient and painstaking work, and through whom, we can say of Reimert, “he be- ing dead yet speaketh.” Look around at the whole China Mission and see in the wonderful success and development a memorial to one who through quiet, self-sac- rificing, hard, administrative work has done so much to make that success and development possible. Look around, at the lives of his colleagues, and fellow missionaries whose lives have been touched by his and received much of his love, sympathy, patience, fortitude and _ spiritual strength. This was a life pre-eminently lived for oth- ers, and in a very real sense a life laid down that by his death greater good might come upon the people he loved. Tributes of Esteem 139 The writer has faith to believe that Reimer't by his death will have done more for the people of Hunan than very many years of united mis- sionary effort. It was said of his Master—lIt was needful that one man should die for the nation that the people perish not—and so we believe this is true of Reimert. If through his death the province of Hunan is rid of that tyrant-bandit, Governor Chang-Kin-Yao, and his cut-throat troops at whose hands the peo- ple of Hunan have suffered so long and so much, then by his death, as by his life,—yea, more than ever one could by a whole lifetime of service—Brother Reimert has rendered a never-to-be-forgotten service to China. “Measure thy life by loss instead of gain, Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth, For love’s strength standeth in life’s sacrifice, And he who suffers most hath most to give.” The Chinese could well say of him what the Jews said of another as they wished to specially commend him to Jesus. “For he loveth our na- tion, and hath BUILT for us.” Brother Reim- ert showed, and proved his love for the Chinese by his fine constructive work. He truly was a skillful co-worker of the Wise Master Builder, 140 The Martyr of Huping and should you seek a memorial to him, Look around in Hunan. His is the high honor of being counted worthy and called to higher service. Ours is the sad loss and added work and responsibility. “God buries His workmen but carries on His work.” Is not this wonderful life lived, and heroical- ly laid down, a call to you, dear reader, to come over and help us carry on this work? He Exemplified the Spirit of Christ By a Former Co-worker at Yochow I have received a letter from Chang-ming Pong, a graduate of our Eastview Middle Schools, who is now a student at Huping Col- lege. As it may be of interest to the many friends of Rev. William A. Reimert, I will quote part of it. “The awful news of Rev. Reimert’s death has already reached you, I think. Nevertheless, I like to tell you how it happened. On last Sun- day, about four o’clock in the afternoon, a band of soldiers, who had come from Changsha, landed at Lung Ewei Dzui, where they began to fire their guns to drive away the inhabitants, to murder them and to loot their residences. A number of people ran to our school to save their lives. Then some one went to tell Mr. a Tributes of Esteem 141 Reimert and the other foreign teachers about the matter. Several times Mr. Reimert had experienced a matter like this, so he went straightway to the gate to await the coming of these soldiers, without any preparation. About half-past five they came to the gate, and de- manded entrance. This, of course, Mr. Reimert refused with a laughing face. But they, the soldiers, allowed no discussion and shot Mr. Reimert right in the heart. Mr. Bachman and some students, amongst whom I was included, were fortunate enough to escape from them, though we stood near Mr. Reimert and though they shot at us several times. Then we ran away for our lives and the soldiers came in and robbed everything they wanted. They remain- ed on our campus about an hour, shooting off their guns several tens of times, whenever and wherever they wished.” As I read the above, my thoughts went out to those other times that Mr. Reimert “had experienced such matters.” He was so modest that we always heard about them accidentally through some eye-witnesses. It was very hard to get the particulars from him. But we discovered the details in time, and in every in- stance he faced the danger “with a laughing face.’ Those of us who knew him most inti- 142 The Martyr of Huping ed Ne He Se EN ol NA CEE ene mately knew how very closely he walked with his Master. He was in Christ and Christ was in him. And he faced the dangerous crises in his life with the same courageous spirit as that with which his Saviour set His face toward Jerusalem when He went up to His death. Surely we can ask nothing better of death than the Christian courage to face it without falter- ing, yes, “with a laughing face.” There was something pre-eminently Christ- like in Reimert’s character. It came out very strongly in the fact that he was a distinctly lovable man. Now to many of us the thought of a man being lovable carries with it a sug- gestion of weakness or of effeminacy. One finds it in writers such as the author of “Ben Hur,” who represents Christ as having a womanish face. But one cannot study the life and teachings of Christ without rejecting the idea that He was other than strong, strong in His very lovableness, and not in spite of it. And it was thus that Reimert always appealed to those who knew him. And those of us who knew him best, loved him the most. To the Chinese, such a character as that of Reimert made a strong appeal. Did he not ex- emplify the strong, loving character of Christ? Did he not live it from day to day? He not ae Tributes of Esteem 143 merely preached and taught that Christianity is a life, he lived that life. And what made him really a power for Christ was the fact that the better they knew Reimert, the clearer they saw the Christ revealed in him. Great as is the work of preaching to and teaching the Chinese, the living of such a life before them is far greater. We are going to miss him in our work— words fail me to say just how much. We will miss his wise counsel. We will miss his bril- liant work as a teacher. But, above all, we are going to miss his strong, Christ-like personal- ity, a personality that made itself felt by all who came in contact with him. As I look back over the forty odd years of my life, I see many things that have brought me deep joy. But I know of no time when I felt a deeper sense of joy and satisfaction than when I found that I was admitted to the inner circle of Reimert’s most intimate friends. And as the years have passed and I have grown to know him more thoroughly, my love and ad- miration for him have grown deeper and deep- er. And now that he has gone over, it just seems as though a part of my life has gone with him. Is it not true that as those who are a very part of our lives step over into the great 144 The Martyr of Huping beyond, they carry with them, each one, a part of us, thus making that life a very part of our present life? And when our turn comes, the step will not be so bitter as we fear, for by it we realize our complete selves. Reimert has prepared for himself a very full life in Christ Jesus. May God give each one of us the grace and strength to do as well. J. FRANK BUCHER. Shenchowfu. XVII THE HEROISM OF MISSIONS Through tribulations and distress, they come! Through perils great and bitterness, Through persecutions pitiless, they come! They come by paths the martyrs trod, They come from underneath the rod, Climbing through darkness up to God, they come! Out of mighty tribulation, With a sound of jubilation, They come! They come! JOHN OXENHAM. CHAPTER XVII THE HEROISM OF MISSIONS HAT is the secret of the heroic adventure in the life of the foreign missionary? We have to go to Calvary, the School of Love, and there contemplate the unveilings of re- demptive grace. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is the mark engraven on the heart of every true missionary of the Cross. It is the program of Christ that the missionary adopts as his rule of life and conduct. He fol- lows whithersoever the Lamb of God goeth. Jesus laid down certain conditions for those who would be His true missionaries—the sent of God. The test of discipleship was, and is now, “He that taketh not his Cross, and follow- eth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” What a program for timid souls! How audacious for a stranger in Israel to lay down such an iron- clad condition! That program has never been changed; the condition remains the same. We do well in these days of self-assertion and self- protection and self-aggrandisement to reaf- firm this original program of the Master for us all. It is not by silence but by expression that we win: ‘Whosoever shall confess Me before men.” It is not by drifting but by en- 148 The Martyr of Huping durance that we win. “He that endureth unto the end shall be saved.” It is not by self-ag- grandisement but by self-sacrifice that we win. “Fe that loseth his life shall find it.”” This was the program of our Lord then, and it is His program now. What is true of the individual is equally true of the Church. The Church that would live must die. There can be no Olivet of sweet com- munion without its Calvary of sweat and blood. In order to live the Church must be missionary in spirit, working out her salvation by the min- istries of her loyal sons and daughters—the bright stars in the crown of her rejoicing. The manifold grace of God can only be experienced by the Church in all its rich fullness when she proclaims it to the varied and manifold needs of the race. The evangel of Jesus is for all the world. Confine it to one tribe, or tongue, or clime, and you kill it. Take it to India, China and Japan; set it side by side with the teach- ings of the sages of these lands, and you will discover for your own souls a glow and a glory that will warm and illumine you in every hour of need. The lamp we hold out for others will shine more brightly for us. One of the questions that fond parents of missionaries and even friends of new workers The Heroism of Missions 149 with their faces set towards China frequently ask, is: “Is it safe for my son, my daughter, or for me, to go to China during the perilous times in Hunan?” My reply has invariably been: “They are as safe in China as in Amer- ica.”’ Missionary Reimert was shot at Lake- side by a heartless soldier; Missionary Keller was run over by an auto truck in Cleveland as he was getting ready to return to China. A man is always safe, even though he dies, when he is following the Lamb of God whithersoever He goeth. “Who is he that can harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?” The man who lives in ease, and comfort, and bloodless service has no power to fertilize the waste places of the earth. But John Bunyan with his Bedford jail experiences is still living on in his Pilgrim’s Progress. This martyr for Christ is today still encouraging hope in the dying and opening the prison doors to captive souls. The Church that goes out in sacrificial minis- tries to the needy world is all-conquering. The men and women who gave away their lives for the sake of others are our present inheritance. “They loved not their lives unto the death, and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb.” Such is the range and reach of those in whom dwells the Spirit of Christ and who pour out 150 The Martyr of Huping their life’s blood on fields of service for man- kind. Alas! our service too often ends where blood-letting begins. We stop short of the promise of fertility. ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” It is the blood of service that sanctifies all human toil. It is at the point where service becomes costly that it begins to pay. Life becomes fruitful when it becomes sacrificial. How true of many of us that our service ends when we reach the bitter cup. “Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink of?” Jesus asks each one of us. Are we ready to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth? So long as He leads in green pastures and be- side the quiet waters we follow with willing step. But will we go with Him into the garden of suffering and on to the death of the Cross? Only as we enter into “the fellowship of His sufferings” will we find “the joy of the Lord to be our strength.” Laid up in heaven is the gold and silver of the loyalty and steadfastness and triumphant faith of those who follow the Son of God in His course a kingly crown to gain. This is our comfort as we look back; it is our inspiration as we look forward. XVIII HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH Ye who bear on the torch of living art In this new world—saved for some wondrous fate— Deem not that ye have come, alas, too late, But haste right forward with unfailing heart! Ye shall not rest forlorn,— Behold, even now, the morn Rise in splendor from the orient sea, And a new world shall greet a new day. RICHARD WATSON GILDER. AAVUY) FHL PNILVIOOAG N MEMORY : OF REVEREND WILLIAM ANSON REIMERT CLASS «1901 MARTYRED JUNE 13,1920. IND SEOF ._ THe REEORMED CHURCH MISSION COMPOUND ¥ VENOW HUNAN. CHINA PRESENTED By THE FACULTY ALUMNI AND STUDENTS THE CEMTRAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY MEMORIAL TABLET IN CENTRAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, DAYTON, OHIO CHAPTER XVIII HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH N the death of our martyr-missionary we find a clarion call to the young life of the Church who seek a worthy investment of their lives. Upon them rests the burden of the world’s reconstruction. The world is calling them and will not be denied. “Come over and help us.” It is the Macedonian cry of the New Era. Out there in China, in Japan, in India, in Africa, lies the new world of opportunity. Clouds and darkness rest upon the Far East and the Near East; difficulties will not give way, but we believe that the glorious conquest of the Christian Church is certain, and the one element in this victory will be the fidelity of the martyr-missionaries. Wherever there is the grave of a martyr, there we have the pledge of future possession. Today the call comes to us to dedicate our lives to the great task remaining before us, that those who have died, giving the last full measure of devotion, shall not have died in vain. In view of the wonderful life lived by our missionary Reimert, and heroically laid down at the gate of Lakeside, is there not in it a sol- 154 The Martyr of Huping emn challenge to us to give our lives and pos- sessions for the salvation of the undying mill- ions in China? Let us behold their pathetic needs and limitless possibilities! Let us try to forget and forgive the tragic horrors and appalling difficulties of the past in Hunan, and with the bright promises of a new day in China face the future with the prayer of our Saviour: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This is high ground, but we cannot afford to take lower. Our dear brother in the Faith could say to those lawless soldiers: ‘Men, you may kill my body, but you cannot harm my soul. It will return to God who gave it. I shall see you in the Day of Judgment. I urge you to repent of your sins. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” “O China! China! Our noblest and best have frequently laid down their lives for you. Will you do naught in return? Surely you are not your own, but you are bought with a price, and what a price!” In his last letter to me, Brother Reimert made this request: “Do not work Dr. Hoy too hard.” Is there not in that anxious warning a loud and solemn call to the Church to send reinforcements to Hunan, where the laborers are so few (less than 200 among more than He Being Dead Yet Speaketh 155 30,000,000), and the need so great? What our hero-missionary said of Dr. Hoy applies with equal force to every worker in our China Mis- sion. Prof. George Bachman, who was with Mr. Reimert when he was shot and at whom the first gun was aimed, but who dared the vil- lian to fire, closed a letter to Dr. J. Albert Beam with this pitiful appeal: “If only some foreign help would come.” That modest missionary, Rev. Edwin A. Beck, in referring to the tragic death of Brother Reimert, cried out: ‘‘Where is the strong man to fill the breach? Who are the men who will rally in a day like this?” He further writes: ‘‘These misfortunes have been befalling us, but it is our duty—yours and ours —and our Chinese friends, to loyally hold up the Cross of Christ, in spite of storms that blow and thunderbolts that sometimes crash.” A few years ago at the close of a sultry day a sudden thunder storm arose and the light- ning struck the tower of the college chapel at Lakeside, shattering it, though the building it- self was not burned. And there, above the ruins of the tower, the gilded cross was still standing, untouched. Despair had laid hold of the missionary, who did not know what the Chinese might think after their Thunder God had shown such particular displeasure for the 156 The Martyr of Huping Christian religion. But one of the students had an inspiration that the distressed soul of the missionary was in need of, for he called on the sorely tried missionary to join with him in Singing the hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time, All the light of sacred story, Gathers round its head sublime.” God forbid that we should glory save in the Cross of Jesus Christ! He gave His life for the life of the world, and His eross is His supreme crown of joy. It is by the way of the cross that we reach the summit of our assur- ance that God reigns, and that though “clouds and darkness are round about Him,” yet “righteousness and justice are the habitation of His throne.” At the Cross we find the foun- tain open for sin and uncleanness in the house of Israel. There we get the vision that turns death into life and defeat into victory. The cross solves the mysteries of the world; it plants our feet on the Rock of Ages, marshals around us the angels of God, throws over us the shadow of the Almighty and encircles us in the arms of His love. Methinks after his translation into the King- He Being Dead Yet Speaketh 157 dom above, our martyr-missionary Reimert is echoing back this message to all who mourn his loss and who will feel the absence of his love: “My thoughts are now for the souls of men, I have lost my life to find it again, FE’er since alone in a quiet place, My Master and I stood face to face.” “OQ make me meet to follow the marks of Thy tired feet!” ie i aie on ; 4! ei S| ' u a iW (eatin tae uy ner ira Mya y Ae M 7 + f i : q FS ¢ Ge ne Oe a a aa rf) VJ ur vy Oe au ao ah ny POM ai Mn he ‘ae i 3 : MS ty PEP sein th a Om Ne) By vi mm! 4 if y ) , e i ts i Wy Wh