Who is Lottie Moon? I must have asked that question a hundred times growing up. After all, we did take up an offering in her name every year. But no one explained to me who she was and why we remember her this way.
Charlotte Lottie Moon was born on December 12, 1840 in Albermale County Virgina. In God's providence this girl would go on to serve for more than 39 years on the mission field, most of which was in China. She died at age 72 aboard a ship in a Japanese harbor, weighing no more than 50 pounds.
In her prime, she was a small women who was mighty in the faith. Standing around 4 feet, 3 inches, she became a champion for the cause of Christ in China. She immersed herself in Chinese culture. She ate, spoke, dressed, and lived as they did. In this she followed the incarnational example of Jesus as she ministered to the people. As a matter of fact, for some time no one knew that she spoke English.
She displayed an unusual courage in the cause of Christ. In 1890, persecution broke out against Christians in Sha-ling. Lottie rushed to Sha-ling and told the persecution leaders, "If you attempt to destroy his church, you will have to kill me first. Jesus gave himself for us Christians. Now I am ready to die for him."
How different our churches would be if we had this faith. Imagine a contentions business meeting, filled with the flushed faces of anger. Just before a split happens, a small but fiery lady brings everyone back to the cross with these words. What a difference it would make in our sleepy congregations to see a living example of such courage!
Her courage and character earned the respect of many. In 1911 China's revolution broke out. Fighting was intense around Baptist mission stations, and the U.S. asked missionaries to leave. All did with one exception--Lottie Moon. She heard of a hospital where all personnel were left unaided in the care of the sick. Thus she made her way through waring troops and took charge of the hospital. In a short time, others returned and took over the hospital, freeing Lottie to leave with things in good hands. Akin records the astounding events surrounding her departure. "With the baptist hospital in rightful hands, Lottie packed up to return home, but the men warned that heavy fighting made this impossible. When she insisted, they sent word to the opposing generals that Miss Moon would be passing through at a set hour. A young missionary escorted her and as they made their way through the battle lines, firing stopped on both sides." If that is not an example of the power of Christian influence, I do not know what is.
She labored tirelessly for much needed funds and manpower. She chided Baptist: "If fills me with sorrow to see these people so earnest in their worship of false gods, seeking to work out their salvation by supposed works of merit, with no one to tell them of a better way. Then, to remember the wealth hoarded in Christian coffers. The money lavished on fine dress and costly living." She asked, should we not "become co-workers with our Lord and Master in the conversion of the world?" Indeed we should. But it will cost us.
I say that she pleaded for "manpower" because she lamented the lack of men on the mission field. In an open letter she said, "I am trying to do the work that could fill the hands of three of four women, and in addition must do much work that ought to be done by young men." If we are honest, we know that this is not simply a missionary problem. For years, women have carried the load in most Baptist churches. God forgive us and help us to change.
Lottie Moon was inspiring. I hope that God will bless me with her courage and drive, and I pray that God use us all as co-laborers to win the world.
*All the material for this post came from Daniel Akin's work 5 Who Changed the World
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