An Unforgetable Lady

 Good Morning All,

Well, I promised you another blurb from our upcoming book. I want to share the following story, but sadly it may not make it into publication. 

"Why?" you ask. 

Because it’s a story that has already been told many times, in many ways. But it’s a great account about a wonderful lady, so let me share a few details here. A tip of the hat and a big “Thanks” to my friend Tim, who did a lot of researching and put together what you’re about to read.

If you are a Baptist, then you'll recognize the name "Lottie Moon". For many years now, she has been the “poster child” for our annual missions offering always happening around Christmas.  The story of her life is certainly an inspirational one. Even a cursory search will turn up several books about her life (and death). The one that has provided the most information for this blog is called, Lottie Moon: Giving Her All for China, from YWAM Publishing (2001).

Lottie was born in 1840 in Virginia and was appointed as a Baptist missionary to China at the age of 33. These were difficult times for the area around Shandong Province. In addition to having to live with several severe famines and the Boxer Rebellion, Lottie led campaigns against such practices as foot binding. She herself adopted Chinese customs and dress while never failing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. When food was scarce, she shared all she had, to the extent that she became malnourished.

On multiple occasions, the Baptist Mission Board urged her to return to the States for treatment, but she refused, commenting at one point, “I consider myself immortal until my work on earth is done.”

Finally at the age of 72, too weak to resist, Lottie was carried onboard the ship Manchuria and started for San Francisco. Her elder brother Isaac’s widow, Cynthia, joined her and agreed to take care of her on the journey. Another friend was waiting in San Francisco to escort her back to Virginia.

Once Lottie was safely in bed in her cabin, Cynthia opened up Lottie’s trunk in order to unpack and make her as comfortable as possible. She was shocked to find it empty; Lottie had given all of her personal belongings away before coming on board. The ship steamed across the Yellow Sea until the coast of Japan came into view. As the Manchuria travelled along the coastline of Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Lottie grew weaker. She slept for long periods, and when she was awake, she sipped the grape juice that had been brought aboard especially for her. 

Lottie was hardly conscious when the ship put in at the port of Kobe to take on more coal and passengers. As the coal was being loaded, Lottie woke up and began talking in a firm voice. “Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong! Do you know that song, Cynthia?” she asked. 

Cynthia nodded her head. “Yes, you have taught that song to thousands of Chinese people, haven’t you?” she replied. Lottie smiled, and her eyes lit up. She asked Cynthia to sing the song for her. That night, as the Manchuria weighed anchor and set out into the Pacific Ocean, Lottie woke up several times saying, “We are weak but He is strong.” When morning came, she opened her eyes. Cynthia Miller was right at her side. Then with a supreme effort, Lottie raised her arms, her hands formed into fists in the traditional greeting of one Chinese friend to another. With that gesture, Charlotte Digges Moon expelled the air from her lungs and breathed no more. It was Christmas Eve, 1912.

I hope this story inspires you. I know it has me. I can never sing that familiar children’s song again without underlining each phrase in my mind.

“Jesus loves me” …. Can you imagine the implications of that?

“this I know” … Praise God for the fact that we’ve been given the ability to know!

“for the Bible tells me so” …. In case personal experience and the testimony of others is not enough

“Little ones to Him belong” …. Where would we be without belonging?

“They are weak” …. Gotta include myself in that

“But He is strong” …. Don’t let anyone tell ya different

Finally, I just have to leave you with a quote from C.S. Lewis, who was responding to someone who said they didn’t want to spend time in eternity playing harps: “If they can’t understand books [and songs!] written for grownups, they shouldn’t talk about them.”

Marsha


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