First, that Eric Liddell's behavior during the Japanese invasion won him seemingly long-lasting respect and honor amongst the Chinese -- including today's crop of Communists. This was not particularly because of his Christian faith, but because of the honor, courage, and competence with which he conducted himself. Oh that Christians could be known for those characteristics.
I also noticed how much sports and athletic ability featured in his mission work.
And finally, I noticed that he was willing to compromise even his belief in the Sabbath for what he believed were the right reasons.
The entire article from the Telegraph was very inspiring.
During his first furlough in 1932, Liddell was ordained as a minister of religion. On his return to China he married Florence Mackenzie, the daughter of Canadian missionaries, in Tianjin. According to family legend Liddell courted his future wife by taking her for lunch to the famous Kessling restaurant, which is still open in Tianjin. The couple had three daughters, Patricia, Heather and Maureen.
After the Japanese invasion in 1937 Liddell felt the calling to work full-time as a field missionary in the harsh Siaochang Province, where his brother Robert was a doctor. They had to walk a delicate line diplomatically during a period of civil war between the Communist Red Army and the Nationalists, under Chiang Kai-shek, as well as dealing with escalation of the Sino-Japanese conflict.
In 1938 he heard of a wounded Chinese soldier lying helpless in a temple, 20 miles from the mission hospital. He cycled for 20 miles over rough terrain to get there and then found another injured soldier, who had survived a Japanese execution. He manufactured a makeshift cart to help push both men to the hospital.
In 1941 life in China had become so dangerous that the British Government advised British nationals to leave. Florence and the children left for Canada to stay with her family, while Liddell based himself full-time in Shaochang.
Undeterred, he continued his good works. When the fighting reached Shaochang, the Japanese took over the mission station. In 1943, he was interned at the Weihsien camp with the members of the China Inland Mission. Liddell quickly emerged as the leader at the camp. Food, medicines and other supplies ran dangerously short, but Liddell insisted that eggs and fresh food be smuggled into the camp by a clique of wealthy businessman. During this time he kept himself busy by helping the elderly, teaching Bible classes, arranging games and teaching the children science.
Sunday was the only 'free day' and, despite his famous stance against sport on Sundays, he refereed hockey matches, which had previously disintegrated into free-for-alls.
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China Inland Missions had so many heroes of the faith. I got to personally know one who had been intered but kept on teaching children there. What a story. Many died such as John Birch and Liddell others. They left a Christian legacy that has sill grown and worked as house churches to this day. I have heard that in absolute numbers there are more Christians in China than any other country of the world (partly because of the sheer numbers of Chinese there are) but also because the Lord has his remnant everywhere though not always visible. This is one of the reasons Heaven will be so much fun, relating the war stories from this life. Praise the Lord.