"In this grand tragedy that tore the entire empire apart, the king hanged himself, and countless lives were lost. Yet, even in the darkest and most chaotic of these "unfortunate times," if we look through the eyes of faith, divine providence never departed. The pain of this land may well have been God's opportunity to overthrow idols and allow ancient civilizations to be reborn through the baptism of morality and suffering."
"The suffering has passed, and the scars left by guns and gunpowder will eventually heal, but if the hatred in our hearts is not healed, disaster will be reborn. As followers of Christ, we should show forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Our reconstruction of Beitang is not only about building high walls with bricks and stones, but also about building a bridge of reconciliation between Chinese and foreign people with love."
— Pierre-Marie Favier
Source: Fan Guoliang's public fundraising and letter of condolence in 1901
"All my possessions left in China, besides a few cleaned old clothes, a few well-worn Bibles, and this unfinished manuscript, are nothing else. Now, the mother church in Europe has dispersed, and this ancient empire I inhabit is heading towards its unknown fate. In this utter solitude, I kneel down and entrust this land I have loved all my life, its church, and my distant, troubled homeland entirely into the loving hands of God. May Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Amen."
— Jean Joseph Marie Amiot
Source: Qian Deming's last words three days before his death
"The beauty of hymns does not lie in the gorgeousness of the words, but in the truth hidden in them. Every word points the sinner to the cross, every sentence speaks of the precious blood of the Saviour. Singers should examine themselves with this truth in order to gain the benefits of life."
"In the weeks that followed, I had many opportunities to glimpse the greatness of this man, a brilliance that even his humble appearance could not conceal. So, when he asked me that autumn, 'Are you willing to unite with me and dedicate your life to China?' I answered without hesitation, 'I am willing.' But a few days later, he said again, 'Can you assure me that you will always allow me to put my Lord and His work first, even before you?' Before answering 'Yes, I am willing, forever,' my heart skipped a beat, for—wasn't this the kind of devout person who had guided my prayers all along?"
— Rosalind Goforth
Source: The Life of John the Old Man
Great, life, first, willing, piety
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"Sanctification is not something that can be achieved overnight, nor is it achieved through the efforts and will of the flesh; rather, it is the believer's daily act of completely considering himself 'dead' in the Holy Spirit, so that the holy life of Christ may live out within us without hindrance."