In the late of Ch'ing dynasty,
western imperialist powers surrounded China
and rebellions flooded the country.
Frequent warfares led to the destruction of farmlands.
Massive military expenditure, war reparations,
and unequal treaties caused a massive outflow of silver (Imperial Chinese currency).
Chinese people lived in a miserable plight.
On October 11, 1896, Sun Yat-sen was kidnapped in London
by the staffs of Imperial Chinese Embassy in UK.
Ch'ing authority intended to send him back to China under escort for his execution.
"Kidnapped in London", an incident became international sensation.
When Sun passed by the Chinese Embassy, its gate suddenly opened
then he was kidnapped into the Chinese Embassy
and imprisoned in a tiny room with iron railings in the 3rd floor.
Chinese authority was excited about his arrest and put him under heavy guard.
Sun was isolated from outside
He wrote messages many times
Crumpled and threw it out the window
hope pedestrians could discover and give it to James Cantlie.
but most of those notes were swept into garbage.
Sun tried to contact the outside while he was imprisoned
but all attempts were failed.
He knew he was in desperation and couldn't get help
Only by praying could his worries and fears in the heart be relieved
and he was calmed.
before the last time he would be sent back to China
Relied on the wisdom gained by praying
Sun tried to convince a British servant again.
God promised his prayer.
This Brit, who was also a Christian commited to send his note to James Cantile
who was a medical missionary worked in Hong Kong College of Medicine.
Since then his kidnapping incident became an international sensation
and with the help for rescue from James Cantlie
Finally he was safely released by the Chinese Embassy.
After his escape, he wrote in his letter to his teacher Au Fung-Chi:
“I was kidnapped into the Chinese Embassy in London for more than a dozen days
They intended to smuggle me back to China during the night
Ship was already rented, they just wait for a suitable chance.
Nobody knew I was kidnapped during the first week
I thought I was doomed in prison, couldn't get any hope for alive.
Man crying for Gods in despair, crying for parents during ill
this is the nature of human.
What could I do was just fully confessing and sincerely praying.
I kept praying for a week without stop, and I prayed even more sincerely.
On the 7th day, suddenly I felt my heart comforted
all my concern was gone, and I wouldn't worried about my fate anymore.
I told myself, Lord answered my prayer, and gave me his grace!"
It's enough to see the wonderful work and protect of Lord from this incident
Just like the Bible said,
“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:3)
This experience of grace was because Sun insists on his belief
His belief strengthened the road of Revolution. (His Caligraphy: Fraternity)
A man used by God brought the prospect of the nation
changed the fate of our country.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Christianity
Christian Sun Yat-sen have devoted himself to the cause of the National Revolution for his entire life
and Christianity brought him the enlightenment of thoughts.
When he was 12
he already showed his huge interest on the world map from a nearby Priest Rev. Dr. John Kerr
When he was 13, he entered the Iolani College
and Ohau College in Honolulu, took Christian education.
deeply liked by his teachers, Bishop Alfred Willis and Rev. Frank Damon
Then he first time touched books of modern medicine from Rev. Tu Nan-shan.
founded his aspiration of practicing medicine and save the nation
He entered the Anglican Communion Diocesan Boy's School
and Queen's College in Hong Kong when he was 18
In his spare time he learn Chinese study from Elder Au Fung-chi of London Missionary Society
and under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Charles Robert Hager of ABCFM
he was baptized together with his fellow Lu Hao-tung.
Wandering around enthusiastically preaching
trying his best effort to convince his family and friends.
(former residence of Sun's eldest brother in Honolulu)
Because of Sun's Christian Faith got more and more steadfast, it was opposed by his eldest brother
So he was ordered to go to City of Honolulu learning business
and Sun's brother withdrew his financial support.
During his hard time
he was really luckily to receive 300 USD donation support from Rev. Frank Damon
so he could return to China and study in Queen's College once again.
Sun returned into his hometown Hsiangshan County
also received the encouragement, introduction and financial support form Rev. Dr. Hager
Sun entered Canton Medical College from Canton Hospital, which was founded by the first medical missionary in China, Peter Parker
directed by Missionary Doctor John Glasgow Kerr, located in Canton.
He always discussing revolution with his friend Cheng Shih-Liang, who graduated from Chinese Rhenish Church College
and he developed a good relationship and frequently contacted with Cheng.
Later, Sun transfered into Western Medical College of Alice Nethersole Hospital
studying medicine, it was established by
the son of the second Chinese Pastor Hoh Fuk-Tong, Sir Dr. Kai Ho.
During this time, Sun always went to the sermon of Christian To Tsai Church
by Pastor Wong Yuk-cho.
He built frequent contact with progressive church members
advocating the way to save China by revolution.
The "Four Desperados" in late Ch'ing era except Yau Lit
Sun Yat-sen, Chan Siu-bak and Yeung Hok-ling
are all Christians who love the Lord.
When Sun Yat-sen was in Hong Kong, he joined
Foo Yan Literary Society, which organized by teachers and students from church college,
advocating and spreading revolutionary ideas.
After the revolution was started
Chinese Christians became the actual initiators
The relation of Christians and the Revolution actions of Sun Yat-sen
When Sun was studying medicine in Hong Kong
he made his close contact with Christian teachers and students
increasingly determined to save the country
then he unleashed series of anti-Ch'ing uprising.
After 10 times of fail
finally the Wuch'ang Uprising in 1911 succeed.
the first democratic republic in Asia
Republic of China was born.
in 1892, Sun with Christian Lu Hao-tung respectively in Canton
Shanghai and Hong Kong widely contact revolution companions
accumulating revolutionary power.
and union with Anti-Ch'ing revolutionary Pastor Charlie Soong
took an oath together with hands on Bible, formed Youth China Party.
Swear to overthrow Ch'ing, devote to revolution.
Sun Yat-sen visited Honolulu again in 1894
visiting his old schoolmates, Chrisitian Cheng Chao, Cheng Chin
Chung Kung-yü and Yeh Kuei-fang etc.
and combined with Christan Sung Chü-jen
Teng Yin-nan, Ho K'uan and Pastor Li Ch'ang etc.
actively participate in church service
and determined with the goal of
"to expel the Tatar barbarians (i.e. Manchu), to revive China
to establish federal democratic government"
"May God punish me if I were disloyal."
therefore established "Revive China Society" in Ho K'uan's home.
and the oath was finished in Li Ch'ang's home leading by Li.
Sun led his companions putting left hand on the Bible
holding right hands, oathing to be members of Revive China Society.
this initiation ceremony influenced the revolutionary later
their oaths mostly was hold in Christian ceremony.
Christian Lu Hao-tung is the Jonathan of David Sun Yat-sen.
Once Lu and Sun in order to break the superstition in their hometown
they teared down one of the gods at the local temple and were banished together.
They went to Shanghai, widely spreading anti-Ch'ing ideology.
Lu likes drawing, he designed the Flag of Blue Sky and White Sun.
In 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki after the defeat of the first Sino-Japanese War led to the first uprising in Canton
Leadership of the Canton Uprising including
Christian Sun Yat-sen, Yeung Ku-wan, Cheng Shih-liang
Lu Hao-tung, Teng Yin-nan, Chan Siu-bak, Huang Yung-shang and Hsieh Tsan-t'ai, etc.
Uprising planning base was just the Church in Shuangmenti, Canton
Its principal was Christian Zuo Tou-shan
Pastor of local Evangelical Church Wang Chih-fu opened the Church supporting Uprising forces
and even himself joined the uprising.
did his utmost to cover and rescue revolutionary companions.
The First Canton Uprising failed due to leaks
Lu Hao-tung was arrested while he backs to base, destroying the membership book.
Being brutally tortured and interrogated
he still generously replied
"I feel so relieved even though the uprising didn't succeed.
You can kill me but those revolutionaries followed me can't be eradicated."
When he was brutally interrogated for the membership of uprising
He said once again, "I only feel pain on my body but my soul doesn't. What can you do anyway?"
Lu Hao-tung, Ch'iu Ssu and Chu Kuei-ch'üan were executed
Lu was only 27 when he sacrificed for the Republic.
The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 led to the Siege of the International Legations
which caused the second uprising.
Christian Cheng Shih-liang led a group of revolutionaries uprising in Waichow
Christian Teng Yin-nan led another group uprose simultaneously
trying to assassinate Viceroy and Acting Governor Te Shou.
Uprising planing base was set in the chapel of Christian Chih Tao College
Ammunitions and weapons were stored in Wu Hsien Men Evangelical Church
which is the first branch of Presbyterian church
Preacher Mao Wen-min was responsible for the storage.
and Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft in Henan
Shuang Men Ti Presbyterian church also helped weapon storing
The core people who participated in this revolutionary action
almost were all Christians or teachers and students of Christian college.
and there were also many members or Preachers of German Lutheran
Berliner Missionswerk, Basler Mission, and Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft
Also comes many participants from three branches of Presbyterian Church
but unfortunately, it still ended in failure with heavy casualties.
Christian Shih Chien-ju was executed by the authority
he was called "the second figure sacrificed for the Republic" by Sun Yat-sen.
After the Second Revolution
Governor of Canton Te Shou hired assassins, Yeung Ku-wan was shot in Hong Kong
Cheng Shih-liang was poisoned.
Looking at the entire Second Revolution
from recruitment and rescue
all were led by Christians and Church members
excepting the core figures are all Christians
there were 30% Christians in all other participants.
In the early spring of 1904, Ch'angsha Uprising led mainly by Huang Hsing
planned to march to Ch'angsha, then Peking after occupying Hubei and Hunan.
Unexpectedly, the uprising leaked
hunt and arrest went more strictly
Many leaders of secret parties were arrested
Just in this extremely dangerous time
when revolutionaries all felt unsafe
The Grace of God just came in time.
Pastor Huang Chi-t'ing used the sedan chair from the Episcopal Church of USA
carried Huang Hsing through many danger
finally carried Huang Hsing, hiding him in the church.
After the fail of Ch'angsha Uprising
Huang Hsing thrillingly exiled to Tokyo with the help of church members.
Later, Hua Hsing Society integrated with Jih Chi'h Society in Hubei
activated in Hubei and Hunan Province.
Jih Ch'ih Society was founded in church
by Pastor Huang Chi-t'ing of Episcopal Church
Principals are Christian Ts'ao Ya-po
Liu Ching-an, Pastor Huang Chi-t'ing and Hu Lan-t'ing etc.
Jih Ch'ih Society purchased lots of books calling for revolution
Strongly encourage the audience to participate or sponsor revolution with the spirit of Christ's sacrifice saving the world
helping youth and teenagers recruit companions
and entering the new imperial army to accumulate the strength of revolution
Liu Ching-an was an important principal of Jih Ch'ih Society
He got himself an art name "Paul" after he became a Christian
Enthusiastically spread the idea ofrevolution and preach the gospel
Starting his work in Episcopal Savior Church
Conducting speech and forming "Salvation Army" mostly from students
In 1906, Jih Ch'ih Society failed to plot to instigate an uprising
Liu Ching-an was arrested
His back was flogged by rattan for about 1400 times
Seriously injured and was in a coma for several times
Liu's faith about the truth of Jesus saving the world got strengthened over time
his voice of praying wouldn't stop in every night
most of jailers and fellow prisoners were reclaimed,
there were also many who were converted into Christians.
Liu said, "I hold the Holy Name of Jesus, praying for saving China from misery
I am in the prison, but my heart is in paradise."
in May 1911, Liu Ching-an died in prison. He was 37 years old.
fellow prisoner Yin Tzu-heng was deeply moved and converted into Christian, preaching enthusiastically
then devoted into preaching and later became the President of Wuch'ang Episcopal Church.
His daughter Yin Shao-su also followed and devoted herself into preaching.
in 1910, Chinese United League called a conference in George Town, Malaysia.
Huang Hsing planned a strategy for Republic
decided to start March 29 Uprising in Canton
but failed because of the delayed help of the reinforcements.
Huang lost his 2 fingers on his right hand in this battle
gained a nickname of "General of Eight Fingers"
later the bodies of 72 martyrs were collected and buried in Huanghuakang.
Actually there were 86 martyrs
60% of them are Christians, pastors or preachers.
Republic of China was born in 1911 after the Hsin Hai Revolution
Even Huang Hsing contributed a lot but he didn't want an official career.
Not only he resigned from the change getting national positions
but also he made the most important decision in his lifetime
He was baptized in Episcopal St. Peter Church in Shanghai, 1913.
There are still a church in Huang Hsing North Road in Ch'angsha
stores 16 words that Huang wrote after 1911 Revolution.
He wrote it with grateful emotions for the church.
The Holy Name of Jesus, we shall worship him with all our souls. He left heaven, came into our world, just for saving our mankind.
This church protected Huang Hsing from the hunting of Ch'ing,
witnessed the Christian Revolutionary activities in Hunan and Hubei
Sun Yat-sen died in Peking in 1925.
Sun's first wife Lu Mu-chen said Sun had sermon one day before he died:
"I am always a Christian. Fighting with the Devil for more than 40 years
Thou shall also fight like I did, and hold your Faith on God even more."
He didn't forget the original intention of faith, and then exhorted his family, country and nation.
