Jonathan Goforth - Missionary to China

April 09, 2005

From the book, "Goforth of China" -

"On another occasion, in company with two evangelists, I entered a village and started to preach. From the outset, they mocked me and would not listen. I tried every device, but in vain; I could not hold them. I then called upon Mr. Su to speak, but he fared worse than I did and soon gave in. Finally, I called upon Mr. Li. He was earnest and well up in years. I hoped they would respect age; but no, they seemed determined not to have us there. After about ten minutes of a vain struggle, Mr. Li stopped and turning to me said, 'Let us go. It is no use trying to speak. They will not listen.' I was pretty well aroused by this time. I felt it would never do to give the devil the victory, so I opened up the Bible at Matthew 10:14, 15 and read out the riot act recorded there. "Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." While I proceeded to explain it a great fear seemed to come over the crowd and several said, 'Forgive us. We have been rude. If you want to speak, we will listen.' I went on speaking and found them most attentive. When we were leaving they invited us warmly to return. "

"Here is a vivid picture of the hard side of village work in those days: "Paul tells us about fighting with beasts at Ephesus, but I assure you it is more like fighting with devils in some of these Chinese villages. I have preached the gospel in some of the worst dens in Toronto's slums. There I found the basest characters ready to respect genuine earnestness, but so beastly are the people in some of these places that let a man be as earnest as Gabriel and he will not escape insult. Other villages again seem to be made willing from the first visit. And we go again and again to be cheered by growing interest."

"This I can say that on no occasion where we stood with our backs to a wall and used the Word of God did we fail ultimately in gaining a victory. But it is anything but pleasant for a foreigner to get into the midst of a Chinese crowd without a friendly wall for backing. No one will as a rule molest him within range of his eyes. It is always the man behind his back that will shove or kick. The missionary turns around to remonstrate against such rudeness and everyone looks innocent, but just then his unprotected back comes in for more abuse. Several times I have got out of such crowds under a shower of clods and bricks. But with my back to a wall I have been able to stand as much crushing as my tormentors and have always held my ground."