1900 - Lin Zhen

July 31, 1900

Taigu, Shanxi

Lin Zhen came from a wealthy family. Before meeting Christ he was a well-to-do merchant. After his conversion Lin was so hungry to know God that he entrusted his business into the hands of others and moved into the mission compound so that he could attend all the services and prayer meetings. The missionaries noted that Lin Zhen was “a most eager student of the Bible and all Christian books. So earnest was his preaching in his shop and other places that his friends called him crazy.”[1]

After some time, it was evident that Lin Zhen had matured in knowledge and grace. The missionaries appointed him to take charge of the work at Qingyuan about 20 miles (32 km) away. He proved highly fruitful in the Lord’s harvest, leading many to faith in Christ including his own father, who had been an opium addict. In the summer of 1900 Lin returned to Taigu for vacation. When Boxers began their murderous spree, Lin Zhen refused to leave the town while his missionary friends were in danger. He told a colleague,

“Our enemies can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Why should we fear them? Why have we followed Jesus? Was it not to bear the cross and suffer with him? Then see these missionaries; they have loved ones across the sea, whom they left for our sakes, and now they are suffering because they came to save us. They trust in God and are not afraid. And I am not afraid.”[2]

Lin Zhen proved a comfort to many during the Boxer Rebellion. He spent most of his time in prayer. He encouraged many of the other Chinese believers to leave the mission compound, telling him there was no need for them to needlessly die, as they were the future of the Taigu Church. On the last day of July, 1900, the Boxers slaughtered all the missionaries and dozens of Chinese believers in Taigu. The faithful Lin Zhen was one of those who received a martyr’s crown.