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By Life or by Death
a step further. We worship God not only by how we live but also by how we prepare to die. Some of you may have heard about my great aunt and uncle, John and Betty Stam. They were young missionaries serving with the China Inland Mission in the early 1930’s. Scarcely one year after their marriage in China, they found themselves caught up in the advance of the Communists into the region where they lived. They were captured, held for an exorbitant ransom, marched through the streets of the village, and they were beheaded. Thanks to the providence of God and the courage of the Chinese Christians, their baby daughter was hidden, smuggled to safety, and raised in the home of her loving missionary grandparents. The last letter from John Stam was written the day before their death and was found hidden in the clothes of little Helen Priscilla. Here is the letter. BY LIFE OR BY DEATH Tsingteh, An. Dec. 6, 1934 China Inland Mission Shanghai Dear Brethren, My wife, baby and myself are today in the hands of the Communists in the city of Tsingteh. Their demand is twenty thousand dollars for our release. All our possessions and stores are in their hands, but we praise God for peace in our hearts and a meal tonight. God grant you wisdom in what you do, and us fortitude, courage and peace of heart. He is able—and a wonderful Friend in such a time. Things happened so quickly this a.m. They were in the city just a few hours after the ever-persistent rumors really became alarming, so that we could not prepare to leave in time. We were just too late. The Lord bless and guide you, and as for us, may God be glorified whether by life or by death. In Him, John C. Stam —John C. Stam, a letter included in THE TRIUMPH OF JOHN AND BETTY STAM by Mrs. Howard Taylor, Philadelphia: China Inland Mission, 1935, p. 101. [Indeed, these young followers of Jesus had prayed that the Lord would be honored in their living and in their dying. May God give us the wisdom and courage to do the same.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky carlstam@aol.com www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |