1900 - Mary Heaysman & Yang Dachuan

August 13, 1900

Daning, Shanxi

Mary Heaysman.

Eliza Mary Heaysman, an Australian citizen, was born in Sussex, England, in 1874. Her family emigrated to Australia ten years later. As a little girl Mary was considered shy and timid, so many were surprised when she boldly went forward and offered herself to God’s work during a dedication service. She later testified that from that moment on she felt God’s hand on her life, guiding her steps. In November 1894 Mary received a clear call to missionary service. At the time she worshipped in a Society of Friends (Quakers) church.

She applied to join the China Inland Mission in 1895 and was sent for training to Hope College, Adelaide, before sailing to China in 1897 with a group of new recruits. She was paired with another single lady, Marion Chapman, with whom she was sent to Yicheng in Shanxi Province. After settling into her new home, Mary wrote:

“It was so good of dear mother to let me go, and much as I miss her company and much as I feel being away from her, I cannot feel sorry for coming, or wish myself back. This is such a dark land, no one can understand how great the darkness till one comes and lives here. The name of God is unknown…. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be allowed to carry the glad tidings of Jesus and His love to these poor dark souls.”[1]

In the three-year period she was served in China, Heaysman proved an effective labourer, especially among the Chinese women and with opium addicts. Early in 1900 Heaysman was transferred from Yicheng to Daning. Mary headed her final letter, dated July 8th, with the words, “There shall be showers of blessing.” It seems she underestimated the Boxer threat, believing Daning’s remote location would protect them from harm. She wrote:

“It is very good of the Lord to have sent me here; we are all so peaceful. We cannot help feeling concerned about everyone else. Daning seems likely to be free from any disturbance. Should anything arise, the native Christians would do all in their power to help us.”[2]

When the missionaries were compelled to leave Daning and hide in the hills, a number of Chinese believers offered to serve them, despite knowing full well such actions could cost them their lives. They moved about from village to village, as the Boxers hunted them down like wild beasts. The three women (Heaysman and the Nathan sisters) were forced to go deeper into the mountains, hiding in remote caves. A Christian man named Yang Dachuan continued to help them, preparing food and serving them like an angel. Yang

“arranged that food should be prepared in a neighbouring village and taken to them by a little boy. A man who suspected that foreigners were hiding in the caves followed the boy, then collected people in a neighbouring village and led them to the cave. The faithful Yang was killed on the spot; then those whom he died to defend were carried to their martyrdom in Daning.”[3]

The Daning Church and missionaries before the start of the Boxer persecution.

Of Mary Heaysman it was said, “She was a quiet, unassuming, devoted missionary, and she loved the people among whom she worked and witnessed. The Lord gave her the great joy, not only of believing on His name, but also of suffering for His sake.”[4]

1. Broomhall, Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission, 46.
2. Broomhall, Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission, 47.
3. Miner, China’s Book of Martyrs, 114.
4. Loane, The Story of the China Inland Mission in Australia and New Zealand, 29.