1900 - Li Gudang & Daughter

July 1900

Liaoning

Li Gudang, a Christian from Liaoning Province, was connected with the Presbyterian Mission in Manchuria. He was employed as a preacher and had proven himself a gifted communicator of God’s Word. Missionary John Ross, a friend of Li, later recounted the horrific details of Li Gudang’s martyrdom:

“On the execution-ground he was bound as men are bound who are to be beheaded. He was then asked, ‘Will you preach the Jesus religion?’ ‘As long as I live,’ was the reply. Then an eyebrow was cut off with the sword, and the same question was repeated; and so was his answer. Then another eyebrow was cut off, an ear, and then the other ear. Then his lips were cut off; and still, after each cut, he was questioned, and still answered that while he lived, he could not but preach the way of salvation to sinners.

When he felt that he was getting weak, he said, ‘I may be unable to speak, but I shall never cease to believe.’ Then with a terrific crosscut his heart was cut out and taken away. He sat on the ground, and remained as if sitting naturally. His heart was exhibited at a theatrical performance for several days.”[1]

Li’s 14-year-old daughter was a witness of her father’s slaying. Being an only child, she was terrorized and didn’t know which way to turn. She grabbed a copy of the New Testament from home and fled into the millet fields. Her friends urged her to burn the Holy Book, as they knew if the Boxers caught her with it she would be instantly killed. Some concerned friends even told the teenager that if she would burn the book, they would hide her in their homes and provide food for her. She could not bear to contemplate such an action, however, as the New Testament provided such happy memories of her father, who had loved the Scriptures so much. Li remained hiding in the millet.

After some weeks the Boxers discovered the girl’s hiding place. They found the New Testament in the folds of her blue cotton tunic and was consequently dragged to the place of execution and asked if she was a Christian. Calmly and confidently

“The child stood up with brave fearless face before her persecutors. Amazed at her calm behaviour, some of them shouted out, ‘Aren’t you afraid?’ ‘Afraid or not,’ she replied simply, ‘it is all one!’ Then with a smile upon her sweet childish face she met the sword which cut down her young life and passed into the presence of the Lord she loved.”[2]

1. Miner, China’s Book of Martyrs, 160.
2. Bryson, Cross and Crown, 62.