Editor’s Note: This article by Sadie Busse was originally published in the June 1951 issue of Message magazine and is being republished as part of the Voices of the Past series. Original style conventions have been retained, as well as some outdated terminology, out of respect to the original work.
Job 23:10: “He knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Far away from the mission station which had been opened by an American missionary under the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism was a little village where the gospel of Christ had never been taken. One of our fine young native pastors with his wife and baby son responded to the call, “Who will go?” Persecution and testing followed them as the Christ of Calvary was uplifted and preached in this rabid Catholic village.
God’s Word did not return unto him void, however, and one by one the people found Christ as Savior. But this did not take place until God had first put his witnesses through the fire of refinement, bringing them forth as gold. While in this village they knew what it meant to be stoned, knew what it meant not to count their lives dear unto themselves, knew what it meant to be hungry and to have their little lad cry for food. Did they turn aside? Ah no! On they walked and worked, being held by the nail-pierced hand and being led into the flame.
The day came when the little newborn twins were taken home to Jesus, and the day came when their little lad, the first-born, went to that city where hunger is unknown. Did God’s servants turn back now, you ask? No, they walked with the Master through the fire until One like unto the Son of God was seen walking with them. Souls in that heathen village found Christ as Savior. Testings and persecutions became the lot of those who had persecuted God’s children, but Christ became real and precious to them. These people, though void of earthly riches, are rich in Christ. They are making it possible for a Bible Woman to live among them, and the native evangelist and his wife are going where Christ is still unknown, coming back to the flock whenever possible.
Going forth “as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and behold they live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, and yet always rejoicing.”
Children of the living God, are you willing to pay the price of going all the way with him as they do?
