Jonathan Goforth
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The Reverend Jonathan Goforth, DD, (Chinese: 顧約拿單 ), February 10, 1859 – October 8, 1936) was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary to China.
He was a native of Oxford County, Ontario, and taught school in Thamesford, Ontario, before studying at University of Toronto, and Knox College, where he graduated in 1887, and awarded the Doctor of Divinity in 1915. During his studies, he was inspired by fellow-Oxford County native George Leslie Mackay, and was greatly supported by his fellow classmates to become an overseas missionary. He had also read the book by Hudson Taylor: "China's Spiritual Need and Claims", a book that he ordered many copies of and mailed them to many pastors that he knew to promote mission work in China.
He married the former Rosalind Bell-Smith in his final year at Knox. The Goforths arrived in China in 1888, beginning ministry in Henan Province. Their work was difficult and they lost several children to sickness.
In 1900, the Goforths had to flee for many miles across China during the Boxer Rebellion. Jonathan was attacked and injured with a sword, but they both survived and escaped to the safety of the "Treaty Port".
In 1925, he decided to remain within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and his Henan station was transferred to the support of the United Church of Canada. He and Rosalind, despite their age and frailities, were then sent by the PCC to begin work in Manchuria, where they remained until his eyesight failed in 1935.
Their final years in Canada were spent recounting their stories to many congregations. He died at his son's manse in Wallaceburg, Ontario, after preaching the previous evening in nearby Wyoming, Ontario. The funeral service was held in Toronto's Knox Church, and he is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the same city.
[edit] See also
- Religion in China
- Religion in Korea
- List of Protestant missionaries in China
- Christianity in China
- China Inland Mission
[edit] References
- Goforth of China; Rosalind Goforth
- How I Know God Answers Prayer; Rosalind Goforth
- From Jerusalem to Iriyan Jaya; Dr. Ruth Tucker, Zondervan
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Goforth, Jonathan |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | 顧約拿單 |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Missionary in China |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 10, 1859 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Oxford County, Ontario, Canada |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 8, 1936 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada |
