To Die is Gain: The Triumph of John and Betty Stam

by Geraldine Guinness Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor

As we were about to sail from Tilbury docks in London, the news came of the martyrdom of John and Betty Stam. They were missionaries, 27 and 28 years of age. They were roughly handled, stripped of their outward clothing, painfully bound, and publicly beheaded. They died - but not without the comfort and support of the Lord, and not without the light of life shining through the darkest circumstances life could bring. Missionary service for us was suddenly stripped of its glamor and China loomed before us as a dangerous assignment.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity, Religion, Biography Memoir

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(2)missionary biographies

Her books were also published under the names Mrs. Howard Taylor & M. Geraldine Guinness .
Born Mary Geraldine Guinness. She was a missionary in China and was married to F. Howard Taylor.

Reviews

[Natalie Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the reason why I love reading missionary biographies! Mrs. Taylor recounts the early lives of both John and Betty, sharing what God did in them individually before bringing them together in marriage. As single young people and later as a married couple, John and Betty were wholeheartedly dedicated to God. The influence they had on others and the fruit they bore in their ministry is clearly attributed to a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even though this book offers just a glimpse into the lives of these two incredible people who literally offered their lives as a living sacrifice as a result of their missionary work in China, I found myself incredibly challenged and inspired. Truly, it is the faithful testimony of such men and women of God that reignites my own passion and spurs me on to expend my time and energy for the sake of my precious Savior.

[Tori Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our dear children, John and Betty, have gone to be with the Lord. They loved Him. They served Him and now they are with Him. What could be more glorious? . . . As for those of us who have been left behind, we are reminded by a telegram from one of John's former schoolmates, 'Remember, you gave John to God, not to China.' Our hearts, though bowed for a little while with sadness, answered, 'Amen.' It was our desire that he as well as we should serve the Lord, and if that could be better done by death than life, we would have it so. The sacrifice may seem great now, but no sacrifice is too great to make for Him who gave Himself for us."

So wrote John Stam's father. His words paint a better picture of this missionary biography than I could.

The Stams lived an Acts 20:24 kind of life: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Their story is moving, convicting, encouraging, heartbreaking, triumphant. May we all be so committed to our Lord.

(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A book by or about a martyr)

[Millie Picker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather short biography of two young people who loved the Lord more than their lives to take the love of Christ to China in the early 1900’s. Communism was just getting a foothold then, but is the prevailing government in China today.
I was in China a few years ago and the Church is alive and well in the midst of government oppression. I met many wonderful Chinese believers and witnessed some who came to know a Christ while I was there. I am not as brave as the Stam’s were and don’t know how I would react to what they experienced; I fear I would have been like one of the missionary wives described in this book, more of a fearful nature, than that of Betty Stam.
This is a compelling and fast read, for the story keeps you reading, yet the page count is short for a biography.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unless I gain confidence in providence daily, what hope have I of facing martyrdom faithfully? That seems to me the ground of of John and Betty Stam's triumph. Their final hour they faced with calm, joyful, assurance of God's best, because they had practiced interpreting every "normal" day in the same spirit.

Would that make a great spiritual discipline for a season? To journal this question end of every day: Since everything today came through the Father's hand, what might I gain from it?

[Bambi Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of John and Betty Stam, martyred in China in 1934, and the miraculous rescuing of the 3-month-old they commended to God alone before they were murdered.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Betty took as her life motto the glorious assurance: ‘To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain’...To introduce people to Christ, and to let Him live that others cannot help seeing Jesus--this was Betty's ambition…To the young people of all lands before whom lies the great opportunity of today and tomorrow:” this was the dedication of The Triumph of John and Betty Stam, “And in his heart of hearts the Voice was heard: ‘Act as if I were, and you shall find that I am.’”

“That's what it means to be Christians–that no trial of life can be too heavy for us, for we can see the hand of God operating in the dimness of the shadows....We have God Himself, who doeth all things well in His infinite wisdom and goodness, as the guardian and buttress of our hearts at this time…jolted us powerfully out of the spiritual lethargy into which we had slipped…and lacked the depth of consecration and the power of witness that we ought to have as God's ambassadors to men. May God release to the whole Church new power…and a deeper consecration and more faithful witness to the wonderful cause of Christ, for which true followers all down the ages have been ready and willing to die.”

For true followers John and Betty Stam their faith cost them their lives. These 1930s missionaries and martyrs of the China Inland Mission founded by Hudson Taylor died at the hands of Communist soldiers but their legacy lives on through the triumph of their faith. Mrs. Howard Taylor’s eulogy/biography is an inspirational masterpiece.

[Will Norrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in a little thing is a great thing.” -Hudson Taylor
.
While known as martyrs for the faith, I found one aspect of this biography especially powerful- that the faith of John and Betty Stam grew separately and slowly over time and that their work on the field together was so brief. Their faithfulness at the end was not inherent- it was the result of thousands of smaller, daily choices and struggles along the way.
The author, writing so soon after the Stams’ death, also praised the faithfulness of the Chinese believers who lived and died to share Christ in this pivotal moment.
A blessing.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much history within the church. I'm reading this book 90 years after it was published and I'm picturing Helen Priscilla as a three month old baby and yet she's now an elderly lady (if she's still alive) who has spent her entire life likely hearing and learning about her parents.

The lives of John and Betty Stam are a testament to the saving grace of Christ and their strong that all are called to share the Gospel, and to hear the Gospel.

If they can give their lives for the Good News, what can I give?

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written shortly after the Stams were killed in China, mid 1930s. I thought the author did a good job telling about their short lives and what happened.

Really, it was a bizarre situation. Why did those Communists choose this young couple? I guess it was for a ransom. And they killed them in such a horrible way.

I found the audio for this book on a YouTube site with recordings of old and classic Christian books. I listened on a pleasant drive to Durango

[Rick Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!! Very challenging.

[Talyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenomenal story about giving all for Christ. Such an inspiration

[Selina Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read. Very well put together and quite inspiring. This book will leave you thirsty for more than “average” christianity.

[Cristina]

"Treu bis zum Tod - John und Betty Stam. Die Geschichte eines Triumphs"

[Rachel Bergeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious story!

[Joshua Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book and encouraged by the radical faith of the Stams as they served in China and faced martyrdom

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook read by Elisabeth Elliot.

[Lynn Ankunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many times I was led to personal prayer or meditation on God's word while listening to this book. My spirit was challenged and uplifted. Glory to God for lives surrendered in life and death.

[Linnea Boese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old book, out of print (I bought it used), but one I really wanted to read because it had impacted my life story. I can't believe I first read it when I was 8, pulling it off my parents' bookshelves where we lived in Congo because I had read all the kids' books we had. The style and language are pretty dry and old-fashioned -- it is a biography culled from the letters and comments of people who had known John and Betty Stam, a missionary couple in their late 20's who were beheaded by Communist forces in China. They left behind a three-month-old baby when pulled out of the house where they were imprisoned, and she was saved 30 hours later by Christians who rescued her. That was the most moving part of the book. As a kid it put me in fear for my parents' lives, since rebellion was rising in Congo. Now, as an adult, I am impressed by the faith of these parents, who entrusted their lives and their child to God and obeyed him, no matter what!

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a short read about the lives and martyrdom of John and Betty Stam during the short career as missionaries in China. I wanted to know more about their story after reading Elisabeth Elliot's account of Betty's influence on her. Unfortunately this book did not give much more information than what I had already read or heard, but it was nevertheless a good read. The book contained personal writings from both John and Betty, and they were both encouraging and thought-provoking. It would make a great reading assignment for homeschoolers.

[Amy Hrncir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course anything by Mrs. Taylor is gold refined by fire. She captured not just the story but the spirit of those she wrote biographies about. The Stams are not an exception. This is a relatively short biography, but the story told is so convicting and encouraging. If you’re like me, you will cry. And you will have a VERY hard time putting the book down for the last quarter of it or so! May we all love the Lord Jesus as simply and purely as John and Betty Stam!

[Charis MacNeill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving account of two who were unafraid to allow God to "work out his whole will in their lives, whatever the cost." The Gospel movement in China today owes much to men and women like John and Betty, both native and foreign, who offered themselves as kernels of wheat, willing to fall to the ground and die in order to bear much fruit.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read, or knew anything about the life of John and Betty Stam. They were whole heartedly sold out to serving God and gave their life on the mission field, because of being a Christian. The Chinese communist party killed them, but their baby lived. So sad and such a sweet story about their life.

[Elisha Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, i would say one of my favourite books ever, such a challenge and an encouragement. the Lord is good and He knows what we need - what an example of true Christian faith! I desire the same, the Lord worked it out in them, He will in us too. Amen.

[Zsanae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing telling of the eternal perspective and faithful love of these two Christians. Unwavering in their joy of Christ, they surrendered all for the privilege of sharing Christ with others!!! A must read.

[Madeline Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book on the airplane when I went to China. I liked it at the time, but it was really slow paced and rather boring.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, yet heartbreaking true story of two people who loved God, even unto death.

[Wendy Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recounting of the lives and martyrdom of China Inland missionaries. Their choices to honor Christ as young people are convicting and challenging.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH beautiful lives they lived!