CAPTIVE MISSIONARY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13172, 3 February 1936, Page 3

CAPTIVE MISSIONARY.

AUCKLANDER'S ADVENTURE.

PRISONER FOR 14 MONTHS. Some idea of the feelings of a man released after being held in captivity by Chinese Communists »for 14 months may be* gained from the following extracts from a letter received by Mrs. A. Hay man, of Auckland, from her son, Air A. Hay man, a former Aucklander, who was captured in 1934 while engaged in missionary work in Central China, says the New Zealand Herald. “Since my release I have been humbled to find how the whole Christian community throughout the world has been stirred to pray for us to an extent almost without equal in the history of the mission, 77 writes Air Harman. “You will doubtless wonder why Mr Bosshardt, my Swiss companion, was not released with me. The Reds deceived us, subtly giving us and Mr Becker, of the China Inland Alission, to think we would both be released. About last August Air Becker wrote asking would they release one of us if he sent halt the money, and then he would send the balance when the other was set free, as the public did not believe that either of us would be released. The Reds replied that they could not release one at a time lest we divulge the movements of the Reds. Cater they asked us to write that our ‘fine' had been reduced to 10,000 dollars, and when the ‘fine 7 was fully paid we would be released. COAIAIUNTSTSr RUSE. “They also wrote the same in Chinese to Air Becker, but they were careful not* to say ‘a total of 10,000 dollars’ or ‘IO.OOO dollars for both. 7 Air Becker questioned the phraseology of the letters, but well-educat-ed Chinese and missionaries alike said it meant that we would both be Teleased. They did not realise, however, that we were dealing with people without a conscience. “Air Becker was to send the nuftiey to a market-place two days’ journey from the town o>f Yungshun at a certain time and date. When Air Becker reached Yungshun he learned that 2000 Reds were waiting at the stated market-place, three days before the date given. If Air Becker had not sent the money through I do not know what would have happened to us. “The ransom arrived in kerosene tins on November 18 at Shangtsi, the town which was the base and where we were prisoners. The day x>revious, Air Bosshardt told quite a few that we would' be going the following day—which we quite expected. “Just after the mid-day meal—we ate the same as the Red soldiers—we were sent for from near the ’dugout 7 where we spent much time in case of air raids—and were told that the money was hardly enough for an aristocrat and was only enough for one. They said they were therefore releasing me, and warned Air Bosshardt against attempting to escape, saying they wanted a similar sum for him. DEPARTURE IN CHAIR. “I had been very ill a few weeks previously, and, even then, had dropsy in my legs and feet. The Reels feared I might die. and 1 think that is the reason whv I was released first. I felt very bad indeed in leaving Air Bosshardt, but I had no option. We only had a few minutes together afterward in which to say goodbye. “Mr Becker had. sent in two chairs for us, and I left in one on November 18. Next morning at the breakfast stop I found 'food, socks, etc., that Air Becker had kindly sent for us. I met Air Becker just outside Yungshun on the morning of November 20. He was almost broken-hearted concerning Air Bosshardt being retained. “It was good to have a bath and cast off my clothes after my 413 days with the Reds. The feeling of being free was wonderful—also to have the fellowship with Chinese Christians. “Next day we pushed on 90 li to Wangtsai, staying the night with an American, R. C. Priest. On November 22 the Liord prospered our boat journey to Shenchow, the ship reaching there in a day! “Here Air Becker had arranged for a 'four-seater car for us, instead of our travelling by bus. After being entertained by the missionaries there, we left early next morning and had a good run through to Ohangteli. Some days later we learned that our car was the last to get through from Shenchow, lor before the bus could get through the billowing day the Reds had crossed the river Shenchow, cut the telegraph wires, and were advancing west. RETURN TO CIVILISATION. “At Changsha the dear German friends, gave me a wonderful welcome. Alter seating me before a beautiful log lire they gathered around the piano and sang ‘O God Our Help In Ages Past. I stayed with Hr. and Airs Eitel until the Wednesday evening. The doctor made a. thorough examination of me and found ' nothing fundamentally wrong physically. . At _ Changsha T addressed over 200 Chinese Christians as I sat. They had been praying unceasingly for us. It stirred my heart to see the affection of these men and woman. The Girls’ Blind School had prayed unceasingly, and they gave me a wpollen jacket and socks which they had knitted. Bunches of flowers were sent, and the British Consul called, bringing a. beautiful bunch from his wife. Mr Bujrdett, the British Consul, has worked hard <for us, and is continuing his efforts for Air Bosshard’s release. I did not know anything about this until after mv release. “At Shanghai, as we entered the entrance hall to the home, the feathered around and sang ,Praise God From Whom All Blessings Plow. 7 Then I was taken up to the hospital on the fifth floor.* 7