The True Missionary Not Afraid to Die
Whether the term of service has been long or short, no man may say the sacrifice was fruitless. All the bright story of missions repels the thought. Rosine Krapf, expecting to die at sea on her way to the East African coast, begged her husband to have her buried on the shore, in order that her grave might bear witness to the heathen Wanikas of the love that brought her there. It is a testimony that speaks to the very heart. It was the same thought that led the aged and feeble Dr. Duff, when volunteers were few, to declare to the Scottish Assembly that he would go back to India once again, to let the Hindus know that one Scotchman was not afraid to die for them. The fear that death in the field might hold back others and bring delays, has ever been a cause of anxiety to falling missionaries. The French missionary Golaz and his wife died within a year of their landing to open work in Senegambia, on the African west coast. His farewell battle call has stirred hearts to action ever since. His message was: “Do not be discouraged if the first laborers fall in the field. Their graves will mark the way for their successors.”