[Mondays are for Missionaries and Martyrs]
Geraldine Taylor, the daughter-in-law of Hudson Taylor, published the following story of John and Betty Stams’ martyrdom two years after their death:
Never was that little one more precious than when they looked their last on her baby sweetness, as they were roughly summoned the next morning and led out to die. . . . Painfully bound with ropes, their hands behind them, stripped of their outer garments, and John barefooted (he had given Betty his socks to wear), they passed down the street where he was known to many, while the Reds shouted their ridicule and called the people to come and see the execution.
Like their Master, they were led up a little hill outside the town. There, in a clump of pine trees, the Communists harangued the unwilling onlookers, too terror-stricken to utter protest—But no, one broke the ranks! The doctor of the place and a Christian, he expressed the feelings of many when he fell on his knees and pleaded for the life of his friends. Angrily repulsed by the Reds, he still persisted, until he was dragged away as a prisoner, to suffer death when it appeared that he too was a follower of Christ.
John had turned to the leader of the band, asking mercy for this man. When he was sharply ordered to kneel—and the look of joy on his face, afterwards, told of the unseen Presence with them as his spirit was released—Betty was seen to quiver, but only for a moment. Bound as she was, she fell on her knees beside him. A quick command, the flash of a sword which mercifully she did not see—and they were reunited.
(Mrs. Howard Taylor, The Triumph of John and Betty Stam).
The Stams left behind a three month old daughter, who they had hidden with ten dollars tucked in her blanket.
As Taylor explained, John and Betty Stam were reunited after death. Their reunion was not as husband and wife but rather as fellow heirs of Christ, beholding His glory forevermore with the assembly of the righteous. Theirs is the epitome of an unwasted life. To live is Christ; to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).
Naomi says
July 11, 2011 at 1:02 pmWow, I would love to read the entire book.
BRIAN says
July 11, 2011 at 2:45 pmGreat testimony! I can see his smile as he sees the Lord like Stephen in Acts. John 3:16…these witnesses did not perish, but completed their mission and graduated early! Awesome.
Carlos says
July 11, 2011 at 3:36 pmI only hope to have the same faith as these two faithful ones should I be called on to give up this earthly life for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ruth says
July 11, 2011 at 8:37 pmI had the privilege of acting in the role of Betty Stam in a play about the lives of John and Betty Stam when I was attending LeTourneau College (now University) in the 1970’s. Due to copyrights laws I did not get to keep a copy of the script, so now I don’t know who wrote the play. It would be nice to find it again if anyone has heard of it.
Cyndi says
July 12, 2011 at 7:28 amYears ago, I read a brief biography of this incredible couple. When I first read the book, I could not understand why they didn’t flee when they had the chance.
Since that time, God has taken me many places, through many hardships and I’ve come to more deeply understand what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:20: According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
John and Betty Stam still speak.
Mary says
July 16, 2011 at 5:41 amDo we know what happened to the daughter? Is she still living?
Cheryl says
July 20, 2011 at 8:38 amOh that we might embrace Him, love Him, speak of Him even if it meant death.