1920 - William Reimert

June 13, 1920

Yueyang, Hunan

William Reimert.

William Anson Reimert was born in 1877 in the American town of New Tripoli in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. His parents were plain, honest farmers who loved Christ and His Church. William was raised in this uncomplicated atmosphere and his life centred on home, school and church. As a young man Reimert gained a burden for missionary work after being influenced by the work of the YMCA. After completing high school, he taught for a year before entering Ursinus College in 1894. He then furthered his education at the Ursinus School of Theology, graduating in 1901. One of his classmates, Charles Butz, 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 consecration, 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.”[1]

The Board of the Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States accepted Reimert as a missionary. Before he left for the great adventure, Reimert married and his wife Mary soon became pregnant. On May 8, 1902, the young disciple wrote of the excitement and responsibility he felt just prior to his departure for the Orient:

“The desire and ambition 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 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…. 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 conformed to His plan for me.”[2]

William and Mary Reimert and their three-month old son, William Jr., arrived at Yueyang (then Yo-chow) on Christmas Day, 1902. Yueyang is a city on the northern banks of the massive Dongting Lake. Reimert studied Chinese, and soon felt at home in his new environment. He threw himself into church work, helping organize and lead the services and Sunday school, sharing the gospel of salvation throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Over the years Reimert came to be widely known as an industrious and good man, who always worked for the betterment of others. His focus became the Huping Christian College, located beside the beautiful lake. Reimert believed the future of Christianity in China lay in the education of children. He set about establishing Christian primary schools throughout the area. This work grew to 15 schools with 815 students. Much of Reimert’s time was spent travelling from school to school, overseeing their operations and encouraging the teachers.

Throughout 1919 and 1920 Yueyang witnessed an increase in lawlessness and unrest as bandits flooded into the city. China was in disarray at the time, and the lack of security created a void which was filled by banditry. Lustful soldiers entered Yueyang, and reports of young women being raped increasingly became commonplace. On the morning of June 13, 1920, a group of eight soldiers knocked on the gate of the compound, which was securely locked to protect a large number of women and girls sheltering inside. Reimert opened a window in the gate and courteously asked the men what he could do for them. They replied that they were hungry and wanted food. The American replied that he could bring them some food, but he would not be able to let them come into the compound. On hearing this,

“a soldier, a few feet outside the gate, fired the fatal shot, piercing Reimert’s heart, and his body instantly sank to the ground…. 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…. Attempts to rescue the body of Mr. Reimert were futile, as the soldiers opened fire as soon as anyone went in that direction. Later in the day, amid the shadows of the evening, the body was carried out from under the gate…and prepared for burial as could best be done under the distressing circumstances.”[3]

William Reimert’s body was buried at the cemetery on the Huping Christian College campus. On September 20th a memorial service was held so the Chinese Christians who had been impacted by the American’s life could pay their respects. Rev. Edwin Beck was present at the service and wrote the following graphic account of the proceedings:

“Unemotional people, these Chinese! Are they? 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 fervour of his prayer life.”[4]

Later, as a mark of respect for the fallen missionary, a poem was composed entitled The Martyr of Huping, which summarized the ministry and death of William Reimert:

Trembling women, frightened maidens, children 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,

Up to heaven high, the broken, thrilling, soulful call,—

‘As the Master died of old to free the world from sin,

Pastor Reimert died for us, our safety here to win!’

1. Allen R. Bartholomew, The Martyr of Huping: The Life Story of William Anson Reimert, Missionary in China (Philadelphia: Board of Foreign Missions Reformed Church in the United States, 1925), 37.
2. Bartholomew, The Martyr of Huping, 47-48.
3. Bartholomew, The Martyr of Huping, 103-104.
4. Bartholomew, The Martyr of Huping, 105-106.