1900 - Wang Zhibao & His Mother

August 4, 1900

Taigu, Shanxi

Wang Zhibao.

At the village of Dongfang, located about five miles from Taigu, Mrs. Wang had believed in Christ for several years. She was a great blessing and encouragement to the missionaries, who loved her and enjoyed the warm hospitality provided whenever they visited her village. Her son, Wang Zhibao had become a Christian too, and was attending the mission school at Taigu. In June 1900, when it was apparent that trouble from the Boxers would not be averted, Mrs. Wang told Zhibao,

“My son, don’t stay home with me. Go to Taigu. I am a woman, and I can’t do anything to help the missionaries. You know how much we owe to them. Since they loved us so, and are in danger for our sakes, we ought to help them. Don’t let your heart be burdened for me. You are young; go and help them to the extent of your ability, and it will be as if I were helping them.”[1]

When the Taigu bloodbath began, Zhibao slipped away and escaped. He went home and reported to his mother the gruesome events he had witnessed in Taigu. Several days later the Boxers arrived at Dongfang village and

“claimed over 30 victims! When the Boxers entered Mrs. Wang’s home, she said to them, ‘Wait a moment. I am going to see my Lord, and I want to change my garments.’ Perhaps her calmness awed the rough men, for they waited quietly until she came out of an inner room, her face uplifted as if in prayer, and knelt before her murderers. As the Boxers were about to kill the boy, they said, ‘Kneel down; we will send you to heaven.’ He knelt, and their promise was fulfilled.”[2]