Jonathan Goforth (Part V)

Missionary to China (1859 – 1936) - Escape from China

In early 1900, all seemed well as the Goforths laboured among the Chinese. Then came the sudden storm. In June, golden-haired Florence, their daughter, died after a serious attack of meningitis.

"The funeral was scarcely over when a message came from the American Consul in Chefoo saying, ‘Flee south. Northern route cut off by Boxers’. The terrors and horrors of the infamous Boxer Uprising were descending. The missionaries were in favour of staying at their post regardless of the consequences but the Chinese Christians made it clear that their chances of escape would be greatly reduced if the missionaries remained. On June 28 before daybreak the missionary party, consisting of the Goforths and their four children, plus three men, five women and one little boy, set out on the long and hazardous journey fourteen days by carts to Fancheng and a longer period from there by boat to Shanghai. There were days of panic and agony due to the intense heat, the long hours of continual bumping over rough roads in springless carts, the illness of one of the children and the oft-repeated cries, ‘Kill these foreign devils’ that came from fierce, threatening mobs along the way. At one point a mob of several hundred men attacked them with a fusillade of stones. As Goforth rushed forward to try to reason with the men, he was struck on the head and body by numerous savage blows and one arm was slashed to the bone in several places. Dripping with blood, he staggered to the cart, picked up his baby and said, ‘Come! We must get away quickly.’ Rosalind and the other missionaries received very painful injuries but all managed to escape as the mob scrambled for their possessions in the carts. After many terrifying experiences and narrow escapes they reached Shanghai and soon sailed for Canada” – “Wholesome words”

Revival meetings

Upon their return to Honan in 1901, a strange restlessness came over Goforth. Inspired by accounts of revival in Wales, and Finney’s ‘Lectures on Revivals,’ he took part in a life-changing revival in Korea some five years later. As he returned to China through Manchuria, congregations were so enthralled by his preaching that they invited him back in early 1908. During this extended trip, there occurred the unprecedented “Manchurian revival,” which transformed Goforth’s life and ministry. From then on, he became more of an evangelist and revivalist.

The Lord began to use him in mighty ways, as the Holy Spirit fell on people in his meetings. Even the usually reticent Canadian Presbyterian missionaries were stirred to publicly confess their secret sins as they examined themselves under the searchlight of God’s Word.

Goforth became one of the best known of all China missionaries, admired by many, but disliked by some for his ‘emotionalism.’ He continued in this revival ministry, mainly in Manchuria, until the 1930s.

Death

In 1934, he left China, blind and in failing health. However, Jonathan never “retired.” Though hindered by blindness, he continued with the ministry of preaching and teaching. He spent his last two years in Canada, seeking to stir the churches’ interest in foreign missions. His messages were centred on one theme - “the fullness of the Christ-life through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling.” Physical sight was gone but his life was as a “shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4: 18).

Goforth passed away on October 8, 1936, in his homeland of Canada. On the last Sunday before his death, he preached four times. Someone present gave these impressions: “As Mr. McPherson led Dr. Goforth into the pulpit he walked with firm step, head erect, and face aglow with the joy of Christ, the sightless eyes were turned upward as if he could see. The congregation listened with marked attention and stillness as with radiant joy, as seeing the Lord he loved, he delivered his address in the power of the Spirit.”

Quotes from Goforth

“My deepest regret, on reaching threescore years and ten, is that I have not devoted more time to the study of the Bible. Still in less than nineteen years I have gone through the New Testament in Chinese fifty-five times.”

“I love those that thunder out the Word. The Christian world is in a dead sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awake them out of it.”

Conclusion

Jonathan Goforth’s life was consumed in labouring for the Lord and Master whom he loved and served (II Cor. 12: 15). Under his ministry, thousands of Chinese including soldiers, were won to Christ. For the sake of the Gospel, Goforth endured many hardships, even the loss of five of his eleven children.

Despite his failing eyesight and poor health near the end of his life, he continued faithful in the Lord’s service. May we learn from the example of this intrepid missionary to serve our Master fervently and wholeheartedly. Amen.