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– MISSIONARY TO CHINA (1859 – 1936)

During his 46 years on the mission field,  Jonathan Goforth set up 31 mission stations, trained 61 native Chinese pastors, and brought to Christ 13,000 Chinese people.   One of the most well-known of China’s missionaries, Goforth was admired by many, but disliked by some for his “emotionalism.”  Despite poor health, he remained active well into the 1930s, especially in Manchuria.

All who knew this great minister of the Gospel “felt the breathing of the hidden life of God.”  One servant girl remarked: “I have often watched Dr. Goforth’s face and wondered if God looks like him.” 

Although he was God’s instrument in mighty revivals, and the object of great praise,  Goforth knew the folly of self-reliance.  So as a young man, he chose as his life’s motto - Zechariah 4: 6 :  “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”  This Biblical principle is reflected in the following account :

At a summer conference meeting near Chicago,  the chairman introduced “the brilliant speaker” with such extravagant praises there seemed no room for the glory of God.  As he stepped forward, Jonathan Goforth stood a moment as if in prayer, then said: “Friends, when I listen to such words as we have just been hearing, I have to remind myself of the woodpecker story.  A certain woodpecker flew up to the top of a high pine tree and gave three hard pecks on the side of the tree as woodpeckers are wont to do.  At that instant, a bolt of lightning struck the tree leaving it on the ground, a heap of splinters.  The woodpecker had flown to a tree nearby where it clung in terror and amazement at what had taken place.  There, it hung expecting more to follow, but as all remained calm, it began to chuckle to itself saying, “Well, well, well! Who would have imagined that just three pecks of my beak could have such power as that!”  When the laughter subsided, he went on: “Yes, friends, I too laughed when I first heard this story.  But remember: if you or I take glory to ourselves which belongs only to Almighty God, we are not only as foolish as this woodpecker, but we commit a very grievous sin for the LORD hath said, My glory will I not give to another.”  Often, after a meeting, he would greet his wife with these words: “Well, I’ve to remind myself of the woodpecker tonight,” or “I’ve needed half a dozen woodpeckers to keep me in place”

Family life

Born of poor parents,  Jonathan grew up on an Ontario farm, the seventh of eleven children.  His parents, Francis and Jane Goforth, had immigrated there from England, after their marriage.    

His devout mother taught him to pray and to love, read and memorise the Scriptures.  When he was five, he was made to read the Psalms.   Soon, he memorised so much no one would listen to him recite it.

Although he was obliged to work on the farm for six months each year,  Jonathan, by diligent effort, managed to keep up with his studies.   When he was fifteen years of age,  his father put him in charge of their second farm twenty miles away, with the instruction to work hard for  “at harvest I'll return and inspect.”  

In later years, Goforth stirred many with his account of his arduous labours that summer, of his father’s return in the fall and of how his heart thrilled when his father, after inspecting the fields of beautiful waving grain, turned to him and smiled.  “That smile,”  he would say, “was all the reward I wanted.  I knew my father was pleased. So will it be, dear Christians, if we are faithful to the trust our Heavenly Father has given us. His smile of approval will be our blessed reward.”

Conversion and call to the ministry

He was converted at the age of eighteen under the ministry of Rev Lachlan Cameron.   Deeply convicted by the Holy Spirit, he yielded to the tender constraints of Christ.  “Henceforth,”  said he, “my life belongs to Him who gave His life for me.”

Goforth had always dreamt of becoming an accomplished lawyer and politician.   He would often practise speeches behind his house and have heated discussions with himself.   Until the day he was given a book to read: “The Memoirs of Robert Murray M'Cheyne.” The life story of M’Cheyne’s spiritual struggles, sacrifices and victories stirred him to the depths and was used of God to turn his life from selfish ambitions to the Lord’s holy service.  

Since that day, he began to be actively involved in his church.  He got a supply of tracts and startled his staid elders by standing at the church door and distributing them every Sunday.   Not long afterwards, he started a Sunday evening service in an old school house.   He instituted the practice of family worship and besought the Lord for the salvation of his father.   Some months later,  his father committed his life to the Lord. (… to be continued)