1900 - Twelve Members of the Ren Family

June 1900

Yangjiazhai, Hebei

The children of martyred Christians at Yangjiazhai, in Hebei.

The village of Yangjiazhai is located about seven miles (11 km) from Yanshan in Hebei Province. At the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 it contained a thriving Christian community, “well-known for their zeal in the study of the Scriptures.”[1] Consequently the believers there became a major target for the bloodthirsty Boxers. In all, the church in Yangjiazhai village numbered more than 30 people, all of them surnamed Ren.

One of the first Christians baptized at Yangjiazhai was a man by the name of Ren Guisan. It was said of Ren Guifen (one of Ren Guisan’s sons), that “he was a beautiful type of the full-grown Christian in his patience, humility and faith, and a most earnest worker on behalf of the church.”[2]

On June 18, 1900, the Boxers launched an attack against the village. Seventeen members of the Ren family attempted to escape, fleeing in carts towards the coast. Boxers suddenly surrounded their carts as they passed through a village about 15 miles (24 km) from their home. All 17 Christians tied up. One woman who was a deaf mute was released, the Boxers saying it was impossible for someone so afflicted to believe in the gospel. Later, one of the Boxers realized he was related to one of the Christian women. She was allowed to go free, along with her three small sons.

The captives were taken to an open field, where several thousand local people swarmed to witness the carnage. One young man from the Ren family managed to escape and mingled with the crowd. The remaining 12 Christians were instructed to kneel. Most of them refused to obey, as they believed kneeling should only be done before the Lord of Lords, and not before any idol or earthly authority.

The only Christians in Yangjiazhai village to survive the Boxer attacks.

Ren Guisan, being nearly 70-years-old and the spiritual father of the village, asked the Boxers if he could say a few words. They consented, saying, “Make it quick!” Ren stood up and, with tears in his eyes, told the followers of Christ to bow their heads in prayer. They all did so, with uplifted hands and loud, clear voices. This infuriated the Boxers, who slashed at Ren Guisan with their swords,

“cruelly mutilating his face, but still he continued in prayer. Then in dreadful voices, hoarse with passion, the Boxers shouted, ‘Kill! Kill!’ and rushed upon the Christians. Soon there was silence; they had all passed out of the reach of their cruel persecutors, and been received into the Father’s house.”[3]