Francis James (missionary)

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Francis Huberty James or in Chinese: Xiu Yaochun 秀耀春 (born Francis James, 1851–1900) was a British Christian Missionary who went to China in 1876 as part of the China Inland Mission (CIM) founded by J. Hudson Taylor (1832–1905).

He was influential in the early translation of the Chinese Language, wrote many manuals on the teaching/learning for elementary students of the Chinese Language and became a University of Peking professor.[1] He was killed during the Boxer Rebellion on 20 June 1900 and is considered a Christian martyr.

Early years

Francis James was born in June 1851 in Upton, Berkshire. He was the third child of five born to John James (born about 1824 also in Upton, died 1897) and Sarah Mitten (born about 1818 in Robertsbridge, Sussex and died in 1889), who were married in 1847. He came from a long line of the James family all living at The Forge (Blacksmith) in the small village of Upton in Berkshire. His great-grandfather, Francis James born 1763, and his grandfather, Richard James born 1797, were both the village blacksmiths, but his father John started up the business of a grocers and bakery together with Francis’ brothers John, Joseph and Matthew. His sister, Martha, also worked in the new village store whilst her husband Richard Bellamy took over the job of blacksmith. In the early 1900s the store also became a post office in the hands of John. Francis followed suit and became a baker in the family business when was age 20. From his mother he inherited his sympathetic disposition, and from his father the tenacity of purpose and strength of will which were his chief characteristics.[2] Little is known of his movement between 1871 and 1876 when he left England for China.

Work in China and the United States

James was brought to China in 1876 by the China Inland Mission (CIM) to be a missionary. James and Joshua J. Turner

Jean Paul Laurens (1838–1921) a French painter and sculptor and Harold became an artist, an artistic author and a college teacher.[13][14][15]
Harold was profiled posthumously in "Who Was Who in American Art, 1564-1975" edited by Peter Hastings and published in 1999. He was also one of the artists included in "Biographical Directory of Kansas Artists Active Before 1945" compiled by Susan Craig and published in 2006.

In 1900, during the siege of Peking (the Boxer Rebellion), when many Christian churches and premises were burnt, and many native Christians were being killed, James secured refuge in Prince Su's palace, just across a canal from the besieged foreign legations, for about 3,000 endangered Chinese Christians.[9][16] On 20 June 1900, James left the relative safety of the British legation, and was captured by Chinese soldiers.[16] Some sources state that he was decapitated and his head was stuck on a spear for public viewing, by orders of General Ronglu (Jung Lu) (1836–1903), who was directing the siege of the foreign legations.[16] Others state that he was shot.[17] His killing was the second of an eminent foreigner following the declaration of war by the Chinese government, the first being Clemens von Ketteler, the German Minister.[18] Thousands of Christians were killed in the uprising, including 182 Protestant missionaries. The term China Martyrs of 1900 was used by Protestant churches thereafter to describe the slayings.

Notes

  1. ^ "Chinese Books on Display: Textbooks at the Turn of 20th Century | SULAIR". Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2012-03-14."Chinese Books on Display: Textbooks at the Turn of 20th Century" Stanford University. Says "Xiu Yaochun (秀耀春, Francis Huberty James, 1851-1900), missionary from Britain, taught in the Imperial University, Peking (京师大学堂). " Retrieved 14 March 2012
  2. ^ Robert Coventry Forsyth. The China Martyrs of 1900
  3. ^ wn.com/Overseas_Missionary_Fellowship
  4. ^ Forsyth 1904, page 473
  5. ^ Austin 2007, p. 139
  6. ^ Austin 2007, pages 144-146
  7. ^ Austin 2007, page 149
  8. ^ a b Forsyth 1904, pages 473-474
  9. ^ a b Christian Literature Society for China 1900, pages 53-54
  10. ^ Robert Coventry Forsyth. The China martyrs of 1900
  11. ^ Hale 1900 page 890
  12. ^ Académie Julian
  13. ^ "Harold Francis James - Biography".
  14. OL 3966483M
    .
  15. ^ "Frederic Remington - Biography".
  16. ^ a b c Forsyth 1904, page 475
  17. ^ Beals page 82
  18. ^ Reid, pages 100-101

References

  • [1] Austin, Alvin "China's millions: the China Inland Mission and late Qing society, 1832-1905," W. B. Eerdman Publishing Company, 2007,
    ISBN 978-0-8028-2975-7
    ,
  • [2] Beals, Zephaniah Charles, "China and the Boxers," M.E. Munsen, 1901
  • [3]"4.-Resolution in regard to the death of Mr. James," Christian Literature Society for China, Thirteenth Annual Report, 1900, pages 53–54. Retrieved 14 March 2012
  • [4] Forsyth, Robert Coventry, "The China martyrs of 1900," The Religious Tract Society, 1904.
  • [5] Hale, Edward Everett, "Francis Huberty James," The Christian Register, August 9, 1900, pages 890-891.
  • [6] Reid, Rev. Gilbert, "The siege of Peking," in "The Boxer rising," Second Edition, Shanghai Mercury, 1901, pages 98–112.

External links

  • [7] History of the China Inland Missions
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