MISSIONARIES’ HEROISM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1936, Page 4

MISSIONARIES’ HEROISM.

PRISONERS OF CHINESE REDS. A story of missionary heroism in China was told by Archbishop Mowll at an intercessory service address at the Bathurst Street Baptist Church, Sydney. . . Two missionaries, Messrs Hayman and Bosshardt, lie explained, were in the hands of Communists in China for a long while. “Those of us who know something of what it means to be in the hands of these evil men,” he said, “were amazed at tlieir strength in surviving that kind of life. It was indeed a miracle. A further miracle was that they were not both killed on some pretext or other.” After negotiations, continued the Archbishop, a ransom for both missionaries was paid to the Reds, who, however, told the missionaries that only enough money had been sent for the release of one man. The Reds decided to release Mr Hayman," and warned Mr Bosshardt they would shoot him if he attempted to move. When the two men were suddenly separated Mr Bosshardt, as a last message—“and,” declared the speaker, “Mr Bosshardt may have well believed it was the last message he would be able to send to his young wife—called to Mr Hayman, ‘Pray that - I may recklessly preach Christ.’

“In that supreme moment?’ • concluded the Archbishop, “Mr Bosshardt revealed liis inmost soul. If our individual souls were revealed, what would be disclosed ?”