BY LIFE OR BY DEATH:
The Life and Legacy of John & Betty Stam
By Andrew Montonera
Moody. 192 pages. £13.99
ISBN 978 0 802 432 766
John and Betty Stam were martyred in China in 1934, brutally beheaded by the Red Army just for being foreigners. Their story resonated around the world, inspiring and challenging Christian to live for God and be prepared for sacrificial service.
This new book incorporates a lot of original material to show how the lives and both John and Betty were moulded by the Lord. While quotations from letters, etc., gives the material a slightly dated feel, the details of their lives, their early work in China and, heart-rendingly, their final days and death are important and inspiring reading.
It is a short read – maybe around 120 pages of real content – but is an outstanding story well illustrated with photos.
Most of us live in a different place as well as time. But may God use this book to remind us to hold lightly to things of this world while we keep our eyes on Jesus.
After their death, a letter from John to his family in the US contained this poem:
Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid – of that?
The final chapters show something of the global impact that this story had, as well as saying what happened to their three-month-old baby. Wonderful to see how God brings fruit out of tragedy!
